As the curtain came down on the FIFA Development Conference yesterday at the Marriott Hotel, Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry in her address said participation in sports contributed greatly to education.
Participation in sports, the minister said, was an indispensable element in school days and pointed out some of the benefits of participating in sports related activities such as character development, maintaining a healthy life and improving mental sharpness.
The former Minister of Sport, related to the near 100 delegates from across the region that “one of the Ministry of Education’s mandate is to ensure that students are physically and emotionally healthy and that they remain focussed so that they perform well in their academics.”Henry recalled that…“in 1995 the Allied Arts Department of the Ministry of Education in Collaboration with the Commonwealth Sports Development Programme produced a Schools Physical Education Curriculum and during 2002 – 2007, Aquatics, Athletics, Mini Volleyball, Dance, Basic Gymnastic, Games and pre sport Games were included in the curriculum, which were integrated all the way up to tertiary education.”
She confirmed that the ministry’s collaboration with external agencies such as the Guyana Football Federation has assisted in fulfilling its mandate and provide optimal learning that benefits students, schools, regions and by extension the nation.
Meanwhile it is expected that there will be a widespread programme aimed at supplying schools across Guyana with football equipment as a result of a partnership with the international body. (Romario Samaroo)
