Feeding programme boosting hinterland school attendance – World Bank

The World Bank has reported that the average attendance at 64 hinterland schools increased by 4.3 per cent when the school feeding programme was implemented. According to an Education Ministry release, the 2010 Survey Report and Impact Assessment prepared by the bank covered the period 2007 to 2009, and was conducted at schools in Regions One and Seven. “Students in treatment schools had higher levels of class participation than those in control schools. Conversely, students’ disconnect and distraction from classroom activities showed a lower incidence in treatment schools,” the report…

Read More

124 graduate from Guyana School of Agriculture

BY DEVI SEITARAM For Guyana to move forward, the younger generation has to assume the role of drivers in order to continue on a path to development. Those were the sentiments echoed by Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud to the 124 graduates of the Guyana School of Agriculture on Thursday, July 28. The graduates were drawn from Essequibo and other areas, and pursued studies in animal health and veterinary public health, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. Seven students scored distinctions, while 22 graduated with higher credit. Fifty-one students graduated with the diploma…

Read More

Gy$179M being spent to spruce up city schools

Government is currently spending some Gy$179.7 million to repair and maintain 49 schools in Georgetown that require urgent attention. The work is part of the Education Ministry’s current work programme, and is geared to ensure that these buildings are in a habitable state when school reopens in September, the ministry said in a release. Under this multi-million-dollar programme, work is being done on 23 secondary schools, 14 primary schools, and 12 nursery schools. Some Gy$29.8 million is being spent on nursery schools, Gy$49.4 million on primary schools, and Gy$100.4 million…

Read More

Whitaker takes charge at Local Govt Ministry

Norman Whitaker was sworn in as the new Local Government Minister by President Bharrat Jagdeo at the Office of the President on Wednesday. After the brief official ceremony, Whitaker told media operatives that his vision for transforming the Local Government Ministry includes building the capacity of not only ministry employees, but those at the regional level, to be able to work with efficiency in offering better service to members of the public. “Well, the expectation is we will be working as a team, so I have to get on-board and…

Read More

Soldiers return from military training in China

Four Guyana Defence Force officers and a staff sergeant recently returned from China where they successfully completed a number of military courses. According to a GDF release, Major Lloyd Souvenir, Captains Anson Weekes and James Fraser, Lieutenant Jermaine White and Staff Sergeant Selwyn Douglas completed the Army Battalion Commander’s Course, the Air Force Command and Staff Course, the Army Basic Staff Course, the Special Operations Platoon Leader’s Course and the Wired Communication Engineers Course respectively. It was the first time that the GDF participated in the Air Force Command and…

Read More

Canadian High Commission donates multi-purpose hall to Buxton

The Canadian High Commission handed over the multi-purpose building to the Buxton Youth Developers (BYD) group at a ceremony at the Vigilance Community Ground, East Coast Demerara. Raymond Drouin, head of development cooperation of the High Commission of Canada, handed over the facility on July 27. The Canadian High Commission said in a release that the Buxton Youth Developers group is a community-based one that is addressing the challenges facing youth in that and surrounding villages through the medium of literacy, education and sport activities. Since 2009, Canada has provided…

Read More

Guyanese writers of African descent – Bringing new perspectives

By Petamber Persaud Guyanese writers never shy away from sensitive issues. They will deal with the issues, as the occasions arise, in their private solitary writing moments; and they are not afraid to publish their opinions far and wide. That is one reason why Guyanese writers have become a distinctive breed, weathering popular thoughts to bring fresh perspectives to the table. Guyanese writers of African descent were in a way and for a long time lobbying for the recognition of people of African descent. Now that UNESCO has designated 2011…

Read More

Arti Cameron captures Miss Guyana World crown

BY BHISHAM MOHAMED It was a display of grace, poise, elegance, and expressions of scintillating talent when six Guyanese beauties from Guyana, Barbados, United States of America and Australia took to the stage of the National Cultural Centre on Sunday, July 31 to vie for the crown of the Miss Guyana World 2011. In the end, only one woman could have won the crown and the privilege of representing Guyana at the Miss World pageant slated for London, England in November. Miss National Communications Network, 22-year- old Arti Cameron, who…

Read More

Joint commission for trade with Trinidad to be re-established – TT Trade Minister Cadiz

Trinidad and Tobago’s Trade and Industry Minister Stephen Cadiz has said that the twin-island republic which has long shared an amicable business relationship with Guyana will be re- establishing the Trinidad and Tobago/ Guyana Joint Commission for Trade, since both nations seek to strengthen their current trading relationship. The Trinidadian trade minister has pledged commitment to improving the trading relationship with Guyana. He said, “The relationship with Guyana is extremely important for regional sustainable development and resilience in the Caribbean.” The re- establishment of the joint commission for trade will…

Read More

Jagdeo slams Sharma on harassment claims

BY ARIANA GORDON A decision will be made next week on whether Chandra Narine Sharma’s licence to broadcast will be suspended for a minimum of six months. At a media briefing on July 29, President Jagdeo noted that he is yet to decide what action would be taken. However, he said there seems to be a “clever plot” by the owners of CNS Channel Six, the station that has been at the centre of controversy following a commentary aired by Anthony Vieira, which according to the head of state incited…

Read More