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.
Education Minister Shaik Baksh
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’ Union President Colin Bynoe, Chief Education Officer Olato Sam, National Parent Teacher Association Coordinator Carol Benn, and other top education officials, teachers and scores of students.
The new and better organised system stems from recommendations put forward by stakeholders during the countrywide consultations on the education legislation. That legislation is currently before the Attorney General’s Chambers.
Education Minister Shaik Baksh, addressing the gathering, said that although the student council replaces the prefect system, the innovation is not entirely new to the school system.
He pointed out that revamping of the old structure in favour of one that is well structured and better organized, where students can play a more active role in some of the decision-making processes of their school, is new.
The trust of the council, Baksh stressed, is not to allow students to intrude on the powers of teachers, but to work along with the latter for the enhancement of the disciplinary and academic standards, and the general image of schools.
The minister said, however, that although the councils are governed by clearly-established guidelines, there will be issues from time to time, and the Education Ministry has established a team to look into and resolve those matters that will arise.
Students who are part of the council, he said, will be seen as ambassadors of change, and will have a key role to play to engender the changes expected of them. Those students, Baksh said, have to work along with their teachers to eliminate violence, discourage gangs, and be positive role models to students.
About three months ago, a National Student Council was launched at the University of Guyana. According to Baksh, the various student councils can be part of that body, the aim of which is to give students a greater voice on issues affecting them.
He said that one of the broader objects of the council is to develop articulate students with sound leadership skills in the school system. The government, he said, has recognised the need to develop the varying abilities of students, and as part of a wider plan to arrest school drops- outs at the secondary level, has introduced the Secondary School Competency Certificate Programme.
Preliminary reports have indicated that this programme is impacting the situation; but, apart from this, the Education Ministry has been placing more focus on drama, sports and physical education to create more rounded students in the school system.
