Mrs. Nagamootoo stresses importance of parents input in children’s education
GINA, GUYANA, Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Parents of the Shieldstown community, West Bank Berbice, Region Five were today told that they are important to the development and empowerment of the lives of their children and were encouraged to ensure that they develop into educated and rounded individuals.
Mrs. Sita Nagamootoo is presented with a bouquet
Addressing the gathering at the first anniversary observance of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Day Care Playschool and Learning Centre, Mrs. Sita Nagamootoo, wife of Prime Minister and First Vice President Moses Nagamootoo said, “If we do not take the time to educate our children and empower them to tell their own story and create their own path in life, someone else will tell their story and it may not be about their success or achievements or about who they really are!”
Mrs. Nagamootoo, a teacher by profession, was the guest speaker at the event which saw the attendance of almost 100 persons and children of the Shieldstown community. Mrs. Nagamootoo stated that the turn out shows the interest the community has in the education of the children as “the first five years of your child’s life can determine how the remainder of their lives turns out in the future.”
Mrs. Sita Nagamootoo is greeted upon her arrival at the institution
Sharing her personal experience with the gathering, Mrs. Nagamootoo, “my dad was a model teacher. He taught me, as well as other siblings, English and Maths almost every day. He took me to school for many years, and took a personal interest in my homework so, as a parent, and an educator I understand firsthand the importance of a parent’s role in the education of their child.”
The former teacher said she understands the struggles parents have to go through to ensure that their children receive a sound education and “sometimes, education could take a seat on the back burner when we lack resources for books, snacks or transportation, but educating our children remains a priority in determining their success in life.”
Female top performer presented with prize from Mrs. Sita Nagamootoo
Building parent-child relationships is one of the important pillars, Mrs. Nagamootoo explained, of an educated child, “I have learnt the importance of relationship and the impact it has on educating our children and shaping their future.”
Teachers were urged to build strong bonds with their charges if learning is going to take place. She encouraged that a child must feel a sense of love and joy to step into a classroom and to want to talk to their parents about their day at school.
Meanwhile, the parents were told that they need to be motivated and excited about the education of their children if they are going to be inspired to want to learn.
“As parents, we need to cultivate a home that is conducive to learning and development. We need a child-friendly home, because while formal education for the most part takes place in a classroom setting, education starts in the homes of our children,” Mrs. Nagamootoo said.
Male top performer receives prizes from Mrs. Sita Nagamootoo
She called on all stakeholders to collaborate to ensure that Guyana’s children, the future leaders of Guyana, are given the right opportunity to develop and grow and become productive citizens.
“We must form a partnership with parents and teachers and let it be at the center of our children’s education if they are going to achieve academic success. However, while it is important that we form a partnership with teachers and parents in the education of our children, we must also extend that relationship to the communities that our children are part off,” Mrs. Nagamootoo said.
Meanwhile, the two top performers at the recent Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examinations from the Shieldstown community were presented with prizes by Mrs. Nagamootoo.