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Guyana schools enhance facilities with Commonwealth Day cash prizes |
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 We at the Commonwealth Youth Programme Caribbean Centre feel that young people have potential and therefore we have a responsibility to ensure that they develop that potential and are given an opportunity as equal partners.
Four schools in Guyana are set to enhance the facilities provided to students after collectively winning G$300,000 (US$1,500) for their participation in a Day Camp organized in March by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport in observance of Commonwealth Day 2007.
Several schools participated in the event which featured songs, dances, poems, drama and other cultural presentations and group discussions on issues affecting young people. The students were asked to present the core of their discussions to the audience in a creative way and prizes were awarded for the best presentations.
 Student of Methodos Educational Institute, Nikita Richards receives the cheque for G$150,000 on behalf of the school from CYPCC Regional Director, Mr Henry Charles while other students look on. Next to Mr. Charles are Director of Youth of Guyana, Mr Carl Brandon and Culture, Youth and Sport Officer, Ms Doreen Scipio.
Winning in the Secondary School Category was, Methodos Education Institute of Grove Village, G$150,000, and they will use the money to purchase encyclopedias and educational games. Covent Garden Secondary was second in that category and received G$75,000 in cash. That school will use the money to buy equipment for the Industrial Arts Department.
In the Primary School Category, Grove Primary School won G$50,000 which they will use to purchase a computer system and accessories. The runner up school was Diamond Primary which got $25,000 which they will use to buy teaching aids such as magnetic boards.
The Regional Director, in brief remarks at the presentation ceremonies commended the students for their participation in the Commonwealth Day observances and urged to them to continue making their schools and communities proud.
According to Mr. Charles, the objective of the exercise was to give young people a chance to air their opinions on problems and issues affecting them in the society and how these should be addressed. He urged that another way they could articulate their concerns is to participate in the Youth Writes competition being undertaken by CYPCC and the CARICOM Secretariat in observance of Caribbean Youth Day.
"We at the Commonwealth Youth Programme Caribbean Centre are convinced that young people are a major development asset and therefore we have a responsibility to ensure that they are provided an opportunity as equal partners to participate in the development process of their societies," the Regional Director added.
He also revealed that CYPCC is examining the possibility of providing youth leadership training programmes for student leaders in collaboration with the Ministry of Education as part of a capacity building project.
Meanwhile, Mr. Brandon commended the students for their hard work noting that the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport was happy to have hosted the Commonwealth Day activity.
Stating that young people are the most valuable assets in a society, Mr. Brandon emphasized that one cannot talk about development without talking about young people and urged the students always strive for excellence in what ever they do. |
