‘Parents must play their part’
– Education Ministry hosts Parent Seminar to boost educational performance
DPI, Guyana, Monday, September 23, 2019
Parent involvement is key to the improvement of educational outcomes; recognising this, the Ministry of Education today held a Parent Seminar at the North Ruimveldt Secondary School, to engage the parents, guardians and teachers.
In attendance were representatives of each of the Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) of each Nursery, Primary and Secondary School in the Georgetown education district. The move which was commended by all present.
Speaking to the parents present, Education Minister, Hon. Dr. Nicolette Henry explained the seriousness in which the ministry takes its role in the process of educating Guyana’s future.
“We want our students irrespective of where they live and whatever their circumstances to be exposed to the best possible education that we can offer them as a country and as a people and so it is not by accident that we have established a unit that engages and works and supports parents to get that involvement, engagement, partnership and collaboration,” Minister Henry said.
She added that involving parents is a direct demonstration of where the heart of the government is.
The event comes on the heels of the historic improvements seen in the last academic year at NGSA, CSEC and CAPE. Earlier this year, Guyana copped the highest past rate, for the first time ever in the Caribbean at the CSEC examination, demonstrating the results of serious investments made in education by the coalition Government.
“Parents are a very important stakeholder in the delivery of education… It takes all of us to make the education system work,” Minister Henry added.
Chief Education Officer, Dr. Marcel Hutson underscored the ministry’s commitment to engaging parents as the ministry works to ensure higher educational standards. “This seminar could not have come at a better time, since we, in the Ministry of Education, are keen on transforming the sector and producing students that are of quality and in keeping with the SDG 4 agenda which speaks to quality, equity, inclusivity and lifelong learning,” Dr. Hutson remarked. Additionally, he spoke to the parental support needed to create impactful change in the education system.
Also attending the event was the Prime Minister, Hon. Moses Nagamootoo who shared anecdotes of being a father and his time as a teacher. He described the initiative as a unique experience which involves parents, teachers and students in the delivery of quality education.
Also engaging the parents were National PTA Coordinator, Nadia Hollingsworth and Senior Guidance and Counselling Officer, Vickram Mohabir who both emphasised the importance of having all persons involved in the education of a child.
Mohabir described the ideal school system as a ‘tripartite’ one, where the school inclusive of teachers and educators work collaboratively with students and parents to ensure the best possible educational outcomes. While Hollingsworth underscored the importance of Parent-Teacher Associations in schools and the support from parents through regular attendance at meetings.
The Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Education, is in the business of transforming lives through education to facilitate greater national development.