By Rajan Bala For the sheer pleasure that he gave the world as a batsman, Rohan B Kanhai is my favourite cricketer. Averaging fractionally under 48 in a distinguished Test career that saw him rise to become the captain of West Indies, Rohan had Bradmanesque qualities. This implies that he was ruthless, uncaring of the reputations of bowlers, and daring in his strokeplay. But, at the same time, he was a crafty batsman who understood the finer points of technique better than most. The great Sunil Gavaskar shares my view…
Read MoreMonth: July 2011
Teachers being trained to tackle violence in schools
In an effort to tackle child abuse and violence in schools, the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD), in partnership with the Guyana Red Cross Society, will be training special needs teachers on its “Be Safe” initiative. More than 15 of these teachers will be trained, over the next six weeks, on child abuse prevention strategies. Coordinator of the Be Safe programme, Shanntel Maloney, told Guyana Times International on June 29 that the training has attracted teachers and caregivers from various special schools in Georgetown and other parts of…
Read MoreUN warns Caricom about growing threat of organised crime
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has warned Caricom leaders about the growing threat to their economies and stability posed by organised crime and the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, as the heads of states opened their annual summit in St Kitts and Nevis on June 29. “We must consider this challenge in a regional context as well as through the prisms of development, human rights, rule of law, and security reform. The United Nations’ System stands ready to work with you on these issues,” Ban Ki- moon…
Read MoreEducation Ministry revives student councils in 13 schools
The Education Ministry has inaugurated student councils in 13 schools. This is in keeping with a broader objective to give students a greater voice on matters that affect them. The councils will also enable students to play a more active role in the decision making processes of their schools. It is expected that the pilot will be extended to all schools. The inauguration was held at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD) under the theme “Empowering student leaders as partner of change”. It was attended by Guyana Teachers’…
Read MoreCabinet approves procurement of solar home systems
– installation scheduled to start September Cabinet has approved the procurement of up to 11,000 65W solar home systems for the LCDS Hinterland Electrification Programme. At present, the majority of hinterland households are without electricity. The programme will provide access to clean and renewable energy throughout hinterland communities, and significantly contribute to Guyana’s overall Low Carbon Development Strategy. Allied to the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project, the electrification programme’s implementation forms part of a major component of the LCDS to transform the country’s economy and eliminate the country’s dependence on fossil…
Read MoreTeacher under sex probe to appear before TSC
The New Campbellville Secondary School teacher who is at the centre of sexual molestation allegations involving students at that school is to appear before the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) shortly, officials at the Education Ministry have confirmed. Guyana Times International was told that the teacher has fathered a child with one of the students, who was later transferred to another school. The man has also allegedly been targeting other school girls. According to preliminary reports, these allegations brought against the teacher have not been disputed. Reports are that the teacher’s…
Read MoreSaxacalli – An Amazing Getaway
Saxacalli is originally an Arawak community located on the left bank of the Essequibo River some 25 miles from Parika. This community is reputed to have one of the best inland beaches in Guyana. Visitors can go on day- trips to Saxacalli and enjoy a swim at one of the finest beaches in the mighty Essequibo River. In the Arawak language, the word Saxacalli means ‘Kingfisher’, and the community has been named after the many birds in the area. Legend holds that the area’s origin dates back to the early…
Read MoreUsing tradition to maintain livelihood
By Vanessa Deosaran Over the past years, numerous organisations have been developing and implementing initiatives to empower Guyanese women and assist them in gaining an independent status, while developing the community in general. The mission to empower women is assiduously pursued by the Wowetta Women’s Group (WWG) located in North Rupununi in Region Nine. About Wowetta Wowetta is surrounded by the Pakaraima Mountains and the Makarapan Mountain to the eastern range of the Kanuku Mountains that divide the Rupununi savannahs into two halves, namely the North Rupununi Savannahs that are…
Read MoreCaricom needs unit to monitor implementation of decisions – Dr Insanally
BY JANELLE PERSAUD Former Guyanese Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Rudy Insanally believes that the Caribbean Community (Caricom) needs to establish an institution that would monitor the implementation of decisions made by heads of government. This comment came as heads concluded another conference, outlining new decisions even as many old ones remain unimplemented. Dr Insanally referred to this situation as “implementing deficit”, and he noted that it has been responsible for the “diminishing confidence” in Caricom by the people of the region. “We have been somewhat lax,” he lamented, while suggesting…
Read MoreRegional grouping must focus more on results rather than processes – Jagdeo
Caribbean Community (Caricom) leaders entered their third full working day on July 3, aware of the need to implement new strategies that would make the integration movement more relevant and results- oriented. Guyana’s President Bharrat Jagdeo told reporters that he was, so far, pleased with the discussions, which included the situation in Haiti, the ongoing efforts to restructure the Guyana-based Caricom Secretariat, and the need to “focus more on results rather than processes. “For too long, we have held up those lofty ideals of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (which…
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