10% increase in school attendance

–highlighted at School attendance award ceremony 2019

DPI, Guyana, Friday, September 20, 2019

Students from seventy-four schools across Georgetown were awarded for their excellent school attendance over the last academic year.

The 2,507 students being awarded hail from 23 Secondary Schools, 27 Primary Schools and 24 Nursery Schools, a total of 74 schools. To qualify for the honour, students would have achieved at least 95 percent attendance during the school year.

Delivering remarks on behalf of Education Minister Hon. Dr. Nicolette Henry was Senior School Welfare Officer Onika Pearson.  “I am convinced that punctuality and attendance are great signs of dedication and competence,” Pearson said.

Schools singled out as having the highest attendance were Alexander Village Nursery School, St. Gabriel’s Nursery School, Winfer Gardens Primary School and North Georgetown Secondary School.

Additionally, regular school attendance was cited as imperative for students to receive the best possible start in life.  “Good attendance is the determining factor for students’ educational success. You have to be in it to achieve your dreams, there are no shortcuts,” Pearson added.

Headteachers of St. Gabriel’s Nursery School, North Georgetown Secondary, Winfer Gardens Primary and Alexander Village Nursery with Chief Education Officer Dr. Marcel Hutson [Center]

Chief Education Officer, Dr. Marcel Hutson

Students of Ketley Primary and F.E. Pollard Primary Schools at the Attendance Award Ceremony

Senior School Welfare Officer Onika Pearson

It was noted that the world is ever-changing and the Education Ministry has been evolving to suit the 21^st  century methods of education delivery. The Ministry has been modernising approaches in all areas of education including Agriculture, ICT and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

“Children, you need to be the future creators and skilled workers for the new industries that the 21st century will provide,” Pearson told the students gathered.

Regular school attendance and punctuality are critical to the development and education of students.

Chief Education Officer, Dr. Marcel Hutson explained that the Ministry is committed to regular school attendance since it leads to improved levels of performance. “Excellence in attendance and punctuality should be rewarded because of the positive impact this has on the individual student, the school, community and society,” Hutson remarked.

He further stressed that subjects and skills taught in schools must be practised regularly by students and as such, actual attendance in school will allow for progress in education nationwide.

The importance of attendance and punctuality according to Hutson must be emphasised at schools at their assemblies, PTA meetings and open days, among other forums.  Last year, 67 schools were similarly awarded.