Two years on Night School seeing results
DPI, Guyana, Thursday, July 19, 2018
Two years after its implementation, the Night School programme has seen a 57 percent pass rate at the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) examinations.
The night school pilot programme, which falls under the supervision of the office of Presidential Advisor on Youth Empowerment Unit (PAYEU), began in 2016 and provides a second chance to school drop-outs and persons who gained less than five (5) subjects at Caribbean Examinations Council (CSEC).
Senior Research and Planning Officer, Presidential Advisor on Youth Empowerment Unit (PAYEU), Adeti de Jesus.
The programme was first launched in Sophia, North Ruimveldt and Soesdyke and is being facilitated at the Sophia Training Centre, the Festival City Youth and Parent Community Centre and Soesdyke Secondary School respectively. To date, over 150 young people have participated in the programme.
Senior Research and Planning Officer, PAYEU, Adeti de Jesus told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the success of the first three-night schools has allowed the unit to expand to its services.
“They (night schools) are progressing nicely. We do have a few challenges regarding social issues the participants are facing. So, we are investigating and visiting the various centres so ensure all goes smoothly,” the Senior Research and Planning Officer said.
The night school has been extended to Linden, Sisters Village/Goed Intent and Kildonan and are being held at Harmony Secondary School, Toevlugt/Patentia Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) building and Kildonan Community Centre respectively.
According to De Jesus, “the new additions to the unit’s pilot programme are being handled by young persons trained by the unit with the assistance of other teaching professionals to encourage youth empowerment.”
She said that approximately 360 young persons will be registered to the combined night schools to undertake CXC in the future. The unit has also made a few additions to the subjects offered to the participants such as Biology, Information Technology among others.
Thirty-six night school students have written CXC, this year.
By: Neola Damon.
Image: Karime Peters.