Re-dedicate yourselves to ensuring children become literate – Minister Baksh urges education stakeholders
-at International Literacy Day celebration
Georgetown, GINA, September 8, 2011
Source - GINA
At the head table are Regional Literacy Coordinator, Collette Horatio, Chief Education Officer (CEO), Olato Sam, Education Minister, Shaik Baksh and Deputy Chief Education Officer (DCEO) – Development, Bibi Ali at celebrations for International Literacy day 2011.
The Education Ministry has been investing significant sums of money into the education system to ensure that all school aged children access quality education. This commitment is clear in the Ministry’s mission statement which outlines the provision of an education system that delivers quality education and training at all levels and, in particular, eliminating illiteracy, modernizing education and strengthening tolerance.
Student, Ashika Francois reciting a short story at celebrations for International Literacy Day 2011.
With regards to literacy, the Education Ministry today joined the global community to celebrate International Literacy Day under the theme “Literacy and Peace” as a result of which several reading tents were set up throughout the country.
International Literacy day was established in 1965 by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) with the goal of raising awareness about the importance of literacy and adult learning around the world, and is certainly important not only for education but for empowerment, development, peace and harmony.
Education Minister, Shaik Baksh and other ministry officials look on as a teacher recites a story to a group of nursery students.
In Georgetown, where five tents were set-up at the Education Ministry’s Sports Complex on Carifesta Avenue, students and teachers participated in educational games, listened to well-known personalities read, book displays, poetry recital, dramatization of literary pieces and parental tips on assisting children to read. Teachers will be given more innovative strategies to effectively implement reading programmes in their schools.
Education Minister, Shaik Baksh while addressing the gathering noted that the celebrations are important particularly since the UNESCO Secretary General, Irena Bokova in her message emphasised that millions of people around the world cannot read and write.
“Here in Guyana and in the Caribbean we have a very high enrollment rate as a matter of fact in Guyana we have satisfied the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of Universal Primary Education,” Minister Baksh emphasised.
He noted that steps have been taken to advance the provision of education at the pre-primary level, which is currently at 85 percent, a high rate, when compared to other parts of the world.
Minister Baksh noted that schemes such as the Education for All/Fast Track Initiative, now known as the Global Partnership for Education, and several others are at the forefront of promoting primary education.
Students of St. Joseph High participating in an educational game.
Their efforts not only address school enrollment and attendance but completion of the primary cycle of education. Minister Baksh noted that Guyana has a very high completion rate for primary education, and this is not withstanding the challenge that too many children are exiting the primary school system unable to meet the expected standard of literacy.
He called on all educators and stakeholders to re-dedicate themselves to enduring that every child in Guyana is able to read and write. This, along with investments being placed in early education will make the tasks easier when students sit the examinations at the primary level.
Students of St. Margaret’s Primary engaged in a session of reading with members of the Education Ministry’s Literacy Unit.
Chief Education Officer, Olato Sam noted that today’s event was a wonderful opportunity for educators to reflect on the importance of literacy. “On days like today we want to send a clear message to everyone that reading is fundamental to the quality of life that every individual is given a chance to live and that we certainly need to take the time and effort to ensure that every child is given that gift as early as possible,” he posited.
Sam emphasised that the Ministry is committed to ensuring that that is a reality.
A North Georgetown Primary Student highlights the role of technology in literacy.
“We will ensure that, in the not too distant future, every child in the education system will be able to read by the end of Grade Two and we are working towards achieving this anything less will be totally unacceptable,” he said.
This achievement is fundamental to the Ministry’s vision of where it needs to be, and on a wider spectrum where the nation should be since literacy is a critical element in the development of Guyana.
Deputy Chief Education Officer (DCEO) - Development, Bibi Ali noted that according to the United Nations, literacy is a cause for celebration since there are now close to four billion literate people in the world however; work is still to be done to ensure that all children, youth and adults become literate.
Students engaged in a fun educational game.
Ali explained that the theme for this year’s celebration is significant, in light of the fact that there is much violence, wars and disrespect to be grappled with as such this year’s celebration highlights the link between peace and literacy, and is a reminder that literacy has the power to prevent violence, ease tensions and end conflicts.
“ In Guyana we have demonstrated the political will to ensure that the population can read and write and the Ministry of Education is not treating literacy as a mere rhetoric but as a critical area of development,” Ali posited.
Throughout September, which is Education Month, the Ministry is promoting all things education under the theme “Transforming Guyana through Science and Technology in Education” and includes activities such as science and technology fair, international literacy and teachers’ day, sports encounter, steel pan showcase and school gardening competition.
-at International Literacy Day celebration
Georgetown, GINA, September 8, 2011
Source - GINA
At the head table are Regional Literacy Coordinator, Collette Horatio, Chief Education Officer (CEO), Olato Sam, Education Minister, Shaik Baksh and Deputy Chief Education Officer (DCEO) – Development, Bibi Ali at celebrations for International Literacy day 2011. The Education Ministry has been investing significant sums of money into the education system to ensure that all school aged children access quality education. This commitment is clear in the Ministry’s mission statement which outlines the provision of an education system that delivers quality education and training at all levels and, in particular, eliminating illiteracy, modernizing education and strengthening tolerance.
Student, Ashika Francois reciting a short story at celebrations for International Literacy Day 2011.With regards to literacy, the Education Ministry today joined the global community to celebrate International Literacy Day under the theme “Literacy and Peace” as a result of which several reading tents were set up throughout the country.
International Literacy day was established in 1965 by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) with the goal of raising awareness about the importance of literacy and adult learning around the world, and is certainly important not only for education but for empowerment, development, peace and harmony.
Education Minister, Shaik Baksh and other ministry officials look on as a teacher recites a story to a group of nursery students.In Georgetown, where five tents were set-up at the Education Ministry’s Sports Complex on Carifesta Avenue, students and teachers participated in educational games, listened to well-known personalities read, book displays, poetry recital, dramatization of literary pieces and parental tips on assisting children to read. Teachers will be given more innovative strategies to effectively implement reading programmes in their schools.
Education Minister, Shaik Baksh while addressing the gathering noted that the celebrations are important particularly since the UNESCO Secretary General, Irena Bokova in her message emphasised that millions of people around the world cannot read and write.
“Here in Guyana and in the Caribbean we have a very high enrollment rate as a matter of fact in Guyana we have satisfied the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of Universal Primary Education,” Minister Baksh emphasised.
He noted that steps have been taken to advance the provision of education at the pre-primary level, which is currently at 85 percent, a high rate, when compared to other parts of the world.
Minister Baksh noted that schemes such as the Education for All/Fast Track Initiative, now known as the Global Partnership for Education, and several others are at the forefront of promoting primary education.
Students of St. Joseph High participating in an educational game.Their efforts not only address school enrollment and attendance but completion of the primary cycle of education. Minister Baksh noted that Guyana has a very high completion rate for primary education, and this is not withstanding the challenge that too many children are exiting the primary school system unable to meet the expected standard of literacy.
He called on all educators and stakeholders to re-dedicate themselves to enduring that every child in Guyana is able to read and write. This, along with investments being placed in early education will make the tasks easier when students sit the examinations at the primary level.
Students of St. Margaret’s Primary engaged in a session of reading with members of the Education Ministry’s Literacy Unit.Chief Education Officer, Olato Sam noted that today’s event was a wonderful opportunity for educators to reflect on the importance of literacy. “On days like today we want to send a clear message to everyone that reading is fundamental to the quality of life that every individual is given a chance to live and that we certainly need to take the time and effort to ensure that every child is given that gift as early as possible,” he posited.
Sam emphasised that the Ministry is committed to ensuring that that is a reality.
A North Georgetown Primary Student highlights the role of technology in literacy.“We will ensure that, in the not too distant future, every child in the education system will be able to read by the end of Grade Two and we are working towards achieving this anything less will be totally unacceptable,” he said.
This achievement is fundamental to the Ministry’s vision of where it needs to be, and on a wider spectrum where the nation should be since literacy is a critical element in the development of Guyana.
Deputy Chief Education Officer (DCEO) - Development, Bibi Ali noted that according to the United Nations, literacy is a cause for celebration since there are now close to four billion literate people in the world however; work is still to be done to ensure that all children, youth and adults become literate.
Students engaged in a fun educational game.Ali explained that the theme for this year’s celebration is significant, in light of the fact that there is much violence, wars and disrespect to be grappled with as such this year’s celebration highlights the link between peace and literacy, and is a reminder that literacy has the power to prevent violence, ease tensions and end conflicts.
“ In Guyana we have demonstrated the political will to ensure that the population can read and write and the Ministry of Education is not treating literacy as a mere rhetoric but as a critical area of development,” Ali posited.
Throughout September, which is Education Month, the Ministry is promoting all things education under the theme “Transforming Guyana through Science and Technology in Education” and includes activities such as science and technology fair, international literacy and teachers’ day, sports encounter, steel pan showcase and school gardening competition.