Hundreds of Reg. 6 students benefit from new science labs
[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmvxAEvErJk” width=”100%” height=”315″]
─ students elated with new facility
─ ministry continues to foster good life for all
─ “We are dedicated to our children” – Min. Henry
DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, February 6, 2019
In keeping with the government’s push for the development of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) in schools nationwide, the Ministry of Education in partnership with the Department of Education in Region 6, today commissioned three science laboratories in various schools across the East Berbice-Corentyne Region.
The new labs at the Canje Secondary School, Vryman’s Erven Secondary School and the Berbice Educational Institute (BEI) were completed at the cost of $45M.
Minister of Education, Dr. Nicolette Henry handed over the labs to the teachers and students of the respective schools who, she noted, were in urgent need of them.
“Why we are here this afternoon is in keeping with what we have always been doing… We hope that these facilities will be used to improve the classroom environment and certainly the learning of the students and it will make teaching more comfortable for teachers… This is part of a larger initiative where I would usually go around, not only to see the commissioning but to ensure that the standards are being met and the best practices and to know where the gaps are so I can know where to have my technical officers [implement the necessary changes].”
Before the commissioning of the labs, students at the Berbice Educational Institute were restricted to theoretical learning. According to the school’s Grade 11 students, the new lab enables them to do more practical work in preparation for their Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams, to be held in May/June of this year.
Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Six, Kim Williams-Stephen, explained to the Department of Public Information (DPI) the lab will create an environment conducive for creative learning.
“Anything that adds value to the people, in particular, the students, the educational development of the children in East Berbice-Corentyne Region, we are happy to be a part of,” Williams-Stephen noted.
The Headmaster of Vryman’s Erven Secondary School, Graham Thomas, relayed his gratitude to the ministry for the much-needed facility. “We are indeed excited, and the students are ready to put it in good use,” Thomas said.
The labs are expected to provide an improved quality of education and foster educational development, critical thinking and hands-on learning. The ministry continues to work closely with the region to fulfil the needs of the nation’s children.
Nateshia Isaacs.
Images: Keno George.