Education Minister Shaik Baksh has said equity in education delivery remains a top priority, and no compromise will be made in the implementation of plans in this regard.
Education Minister Shaik Baksh
Baksh, who was at the time speaking at the St Ignatius Secondary School’s annual graduation exercise held in the school’s auditorium, said the ministry is committed to making this goal a reality at all hinterland schools.
He pointed out that considerable attention is being placed on achieving equal access to quality education as defined by the standards and norms outlined by the ministry.
The recent results of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations have indicated that progress is being made in this area. The minister noted that many rural secondary schools performed admirably and, in some cases, even better than some Georgetown schools.
According to data from the local examinations division, four schools outside of Georgetown were among the country’s top 10; 11 were in the top 20; and more than a dozen secured pass rates of between 60 per cent and 75 per cent.
Moreover, for the first time, Region Four was the best performing area in the country, gaining an overall pass rate of 71.5 per cent to overtake Georgetown, with 70.8 per cent.
Also, at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) this year, more pupils from the rural schools made it into the country’s top one per cent, compared to last year. In addition, the rural schools performed creditably at the recent Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE).
St Ignatius Secondary School recorded an overall pass rate of 72 per cent, counting grades one to three, at CSEC. Shammah Noel, the school’s top student, obtained 11 subjects with eight grade ones, including distinctions in mathematics and English.
The school also registered 100 per cent passes in six subjects, including integrated science, agriculture science and geography.
Notably, it secured a 91 per cent pass in biology, 78 per cent in chemistry, and 64 per cent in physics.
The school’s headteacher, Yvette Archer, reported that information technology classes commenced last year. The goal, Baksh said, is to make all students computer literate and ensure that every teacher in the school system is able to use the computer as a teaching and learning tool.
Through the fibre-optic cable from Brazil, all hinterland schools will receive Internet access. These achievements, the minister said, auger well for the region and Guyana, as they are in harmony with the thrust of the One Laptop Per Family programme and, on a wider perspective, are in keeping with the national development agenda.
He said the developments cannot be more pleasing, as the ministry celebrates Education Month 2011 under the theme “Transforming Guyana through science and technology”. The minister praised the performance of the school, the hard work of its teachers, and the involvement of parents in their children’s education.
On that note, he encouraged the teachers to keep up their good work and strive to build on the gains made. He also encouraged qualified students of the graduating class of 66 to join the teaching profession.
Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai, who also addressed the gathering, said the policies, measures and interventions of the Education Ministry have been yielding results. She pointed out that Guyana has achieved universal primary education, is on the verge of achieving universal secondary education, and enrolment at the pre- primary level stands at around 85 per cent.
Today, Sukhai said, access to education at the nursery, primary and secondary levels in the hinterland regions is unprecedented. She praised Minister Baksh for bringing about significant reforms in the education sector.
Sukhai noted that government’s heavy investment in the education sector is a reflection of the significant attention it places on youth in efforts to eradicate poverty and build rounded citizens and capable leaders to support and maintain national unity and continuous development.
St Ignatius’s board chairman Alfred Ramsarran and Region Nine Chairman Clarendo Lucas also spoke at the event. (Education Ministry)
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