Eleven schools in Georgetown will benefit from an interactive programme as the Volunteer Youth Corps Inc (VYC) has launched the second instalment of its “Afterschool Interactive Maths and Science Project” funded by American company Exxon Mobil. This programme will see some 100 students from secondary schools in South Georgetown participating.
VYC launched the pilot project of the programme in June 2012, with a US$ 10,000 grant from Exxon Mobil. The project ran from June of last year to May 2013, and saw the participation of 60 students from Grades Nine and 10.
The “Afterschool Interactive Maths and Science Project” was endorsed by the education ministry, and permission was granted for the selected schools to participate in the programme.
After success was seen in the pilot initiative, Exxon Mobil pledged some US$ 20,000 for the second year of the project, which commenced two weeks ago at the start of the 2013-2014 academic year.
A simple ceremony was held on Monday at Regency Suites Hotel to celebrate the launch of the programme’s second year.
Attending the ceremony were students and teachers of the participating schools; representatives of the education ministry, Exxon Mobil, and the American embassy, including U. S. Ambassador D Brent Hardt; as well as members from the VYC.
Keynote speaker Exxon Mobil’s Senior Research Associate Jaime Buitrago told the gathering that Exxon Mobil was pleased to be partnering with VYC in making the programme possible.
He noted that Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) are the lifeline of the company, which employs more than 70,000 persons worldwide – most of them engineers and scientists.
“As a high-tech company we are committed to improving science and math education around the world; however, we place special emphasis on the communities where we operate,” he stated.
Buitrago highlighted that society faces a huge challenge worldwide as it relates to providing affordable energy and focusing on the development of young people in STEM is the best way to beat this problem.
Science learning
Deputy Chief Education Officer Donna Chapman commended VYC for its foresight and efforts in implementing this programme, which will empower and stimulate the drive for improved performance. She extended the ministry’s continuous support towards the programme and applauded teachers for their involvement.
She pointed out that the ministry has been working effortlessly to improve the teaching of Mathematics and Science, and has placed emphasis on literacy, numeracy and science education in the ministry’s 2008-2013 strategic plan.
Chapman continued that this initiative is timely as it relates to education delivery in Guyana and will complement and supplement classroom teaching. She hopes at some point the lessons taught to these students will spill over to other schools so that they too can benefit.
The 11 participating schools are: Tucville, East Ruimveldt, North Ruimveldt, South Ruimveldt, Lodge, Charlestown, Dolphin, Richard Ishmael, and Kingston secondary schools; St John’s College and Central High School.
