Latest update March 29th, 2024 12:59 AM
Oct 20, 2011 News
This year saw exceptional performances in the field of education throughout Guyana and it was
only fit for the outstanding students to be honoured at the 15th National Awards Ceremony which was held yesterday at the National Cultural Centre, Homestretch Avenue.
More than 30 students from a number of schools across the country received awards and trophies for their successes at the various external examinations during the past year.
According to Minister of Education, Shaik Baksh, the past academic year has seen the largest expenditure in history in the Education Sector for Guyana.
The outstanding performances by the students could not have been possible without the necessary support from the schools and dedicated teachers, he said.
He emphasized that the improvement in the delivery and quality of education is a strong driven vision, and as such there has been ‘progress in education from access to success.’
The education system is geared at showing “competencies” that are required in the world of work, and that the education received by students will increase their productivity, and evidently lead to an economic transformation in Guyana.
It is expected that when the present Education Strategic Plan comes to an end there will be 100 percent access to pre-primary education. At the Primary level the millennium goal has already been achieved in this country.
Baksh explained that there is already 100 percent of access to Secondary Education, though 15 percent of the population is enrolled at “Primary Tops” schools. The goal was achieved and the Education Ministry is striving to improve the quality of education in the “Primary Tops”.
It was noted that this year there was a “huge surge of demand” for secondary education throughout the country and provisions are already in place to have more places (dorms, schools) established to meet these needs.
For 2011, the enrollment at the Cyril Potter College of Education falls just under 500 applicants while a larger number of students have been enrolled at the University of Guyana in comparison to previous years. This shows that greater emphasis needs to be placed on tertiary education in Guyana.
This newspaper understands that the Ministry of Education, with its Associate Degree programme developed for teachers at the CPCE, is hoping to have at least 50 percent of its teachers become graduates within a short number of years.
Currently, 70 percent of teachers that have been trained and within the following three years, this figure should be increased by another 10 percent.
“Quality teachers equal quality education. In 1992 at the National Grade Six assessment only four percent of students scored more than 50 percent in Mathematics while in 2011, there were 40 percent of the students achieving more than 50 percent.
For English only eight percent of students passed with 50 percent in 1992 passed while for this year 35 percent passed the 50 percent, said Baksh.
It was further stated that the overall pass rate for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) this year there was an overall pass rate of 64.4 percent in comparison to the 22 percent in 1992.
For CSEC Mathematics in 1992 there was an 18 percent pass rate and in 2011 this rate increased to 30.3 percent while English Language in 1992 had a 9.8 percent pass rate in comparison to the 2011 rate of 60.82 percent.
Additionally, there were 12,731 candidates for CSEC in 2011 against the 5,000 candidates recorded in 1991.
Minister Baksh said that for the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) in 2011 there were 627 candidate entries, which is the highest number that the examination has ever received at one time.
Last year, there were 1,500 subject entries in this category while 2011 saw more than 2,000 subject entries.
Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds, noted that education is an extremely important process in society and life. A challenge that every society faces is replacing people who are passing on (death, migration).
He stated that education has always been a way to advance in life and the task that each country holds is to educate and train every citizen, every child born in order to contribute to society.
Hinds urged the awardees to “help those who haven’t done so well” since this will ensure that the country progresses and individuals have the exposure to be taught and educated in and out of schools.
He also encouraged the awardees to be role models, noting that both passively and actively their achievements have shown what the country can achieve with the limited resources available.
Awards were presented to the Best performers at the National Grade Six Assessment, CSEC – Best junior and senior secondary school performers, Carnegie School of Home Economics, Government Technical Education Examination, Best Science Performer at CSEC, CSEC Best performer, CAPE Best performers 2011, CAPE Best performer 2010-2011, , Most improved primary, and junior and senior secondary schools and CPCE Best Graduating student.
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THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
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Future import figures of Guyana. But will they remain in Guyana?
Some of these students have spent vacations overseas already and their gazes may be wavering around.
I would like to congratulate all the awarded students, and the teachers that made it possible. As an old QC boy I am extremely proud.
But I would like to share my reality. After connecting with my classmates on facebook, over ninety percent of them from QC are residing abroad and it is even higher for my UG (Engineering) colleagues.
I can assure you all, if there is no change in the political situation in Guyana, this will continue to be the norm.
Then who will stay to develop this country?
Congratulations Q.C. students even though I went to Saints. I hope an accomodating atmosphere is created for these students to further their education whether overseas or at U.G.and remain or return to serve Guyana in their respective fields.Forget politics, these are the future leaders of Guyana. Give them a chance.
The examination results coming out of Guyana has been astounding over the years. It is no surprise then that the country has produced some of the BEST scholars you can find in the international arena. Whether they choose to remain in Guyana or go overseas to further develop themselves, it is still development for the country as a whole even if it takes some years. Congratulations students. Make the best of the opportunities available to you for advancement!!!!
As a former QC student, i applaud all those successful in their exams. I do wonder, however, how many students after having migrated to countries around the world, will actually return. More than 90% of the students who came through QC with me live abroad and seemingly have no intention of returning. One recurring complaint is the lack of well paying jobs to match their qualifications. Perhaps if there was a real incentive for us to return, it would be a possibility. But until then…
@brickhous..if the parties keep dictating for years; fooling the people by claiming they are democratic and once inside, turn dictators, there’s definitely no room for innovative ideas. This success and many others show that Guyana is producing some of the finest scholars in the world…but with no future for its products. Congratulations to Guyana’s innovative students.