Prime Minister Samuel Hinds on Friday expressed concern that the science and technology sectors are not being harnessed in the Caribbean. Speaking at the two-day Caribbean Science Foundation’s third annual science workshop held at the Grand Coastal Hotel, La Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara, he noted that these sectors can be improved at several levels.
The workshop was hosted in collaboration with the Education Ministry and the Caribbean Diaspora for Science, Technology and Innovation.
Hinds expressed concern that while the Caribbean does not share enough of its education for the development of its people, this may be due to the system not being sufficiently harnessed to lead to the development of Guyana and the Caribbean.
He urged that persons in the field engage in closer collaboration, and create improved networking between those at home and in the diaspora.
The prime minister also observed that while the workshop would generate in students the realisation and challenge that their contribution would help them advance, there is potential in having revised methods in the presentation of education.
Education Minister Priya Manickchand in her presentation noted that while Guyana is bringing home the science prizes at the regional level, there is a lot more to be done locally and regionally. “As a region, we cannot be satisfied with the level of science, technology and mathematics education,” she said.
She explained that in Guyana a larger number of students needed to be attracted to the field, to be able to accelerate national policy. Pointing out that science classes need to have the old traditional method of teaching replaced, the minister said secondary school students lose their way because of the way the subject is taught.
She explained that this has been recognised in the draft national science and technology policy, and while initiatives have seen the introduction of the subject in grades five and six where great results have been recorded, the curriculum is also being reviewed to make improvements.
Micro science kits are being used in 40 secondary schools, with the others slated to receive theirs by the end of 2015. She explained that for the policies drafted to be adopted and to be successful, partners are necessary.
Professor Arnoldo Ventura, of Mico University, Jamaica, said the workshop will stimulate improved understanding, without which chronic and emerging problems will remain unresolved.
