Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, says that it is wrong for people to use children to protest at schools across the country. The Minister was speaking on Thursday at Port Mourant, Corentyne, during the launch of the new Primary Readers Series of locally- produced textbooks.

 

Over the past days, the Ministry of Education (MoE) has been hit by several protest actions.  On Tuesday, parents and supporters of students from St. John’s Secondary School at Leonora, West Coast Demerara, were protesting the closure of the school for the past two years by the Region Three administration.
On February 2, several teachers attached to the Mackenzie High School, converged at the Regional Education Department to protest the “untenable situation” that currently prevails at the school.
Manickchand, speaking to teachers, students and senior officers within the MoE, said that she expects more protests, especially during this, “sexy elections period.” She stated that the MoE attracts much of the protest actions since she believes it is very easy to target the MoE and the school buildings.

“Over the next couple of weeks…we expect at the MoE that we are going to see protests rising up across the spectrum, in schools and in front of schools, because we know it is the easiest place to target.”
Notwithstanding the many challenges that exist in the education sector, the Minister asked  the gathering to carefully examine the strides made in education, “and to also ask you to spread the message , that using children to hold placards that they can barely read, to discuss issues that they do not understand, is just bad for those children!”
“Any political party that asks you to do that—tell them, ‘no—bring out your children (the politicians) and grandchildren from their schools—because you are running for office’—and then I’ll take mine.”
The Minister urged all parents to not take their children on the road to be involved in placard demonstrations and protests in front of schools.  “When you see these risings up in front of schools, understand that it is not that the system is bad—it’s just that it is the easiest place for people to target.”
She added that the government, over the years, has matched political ideology (in education) with investment, “but we have this ideology—it looks nice on paper, but how can we fund this, so we can make a difference for the children.”
Investments, she said, has shown that the number of trained teachers in 2005 was 50.8 per cent in the primary sector compared to 77 per cent being trained today. “That didn’t happen by magic…It happened because we wanted our teachers trained and we invested, and the system is such, that it took a while to move from 50 to 77.”
She noted in 1992, eight per cent of students passed English Language, compared to 46 per cent in 2014. Similarly, 18 per cent of students passed Maths in 1992 while 38 per cent pass Maths today. “It means that when you put money into a sector…you will see more of them graduating, with passes in the core subjects.”
A trained teacher for students brings a whole host of benefits for students. “A trained teacher means that your children are likely to have a more solid education,” she added. While not putting down the great work that some untrained teachers are doing in the schools, the Minister mentioned that it is more likely that children would receive a more solid type of education if taught by a trained teacher.

“If we don’t put trained teachers in front of the classrooms, then we are killing this nation slowly,” she noted. In the next five years, it is the desire of the MoE to have more than 85 per cent of teachers in the school system trained. “We are working to see that happens.”
Minister Manickchand said that another achievement for the MoE, is that it was able to attain Universal Primary Education.
“Again, that didn’t happen by magic—we looked and saw there were no schools existing in some places, and we built those—we invested—and we built new classrooms and we made sure that our children could go to primary school…”
There are still some attendance problems with children, she added, and the ways in which the government has looked to solve this, is the school feeding programmes and other social grants, such as the Uniform Voucher Grant and $10,000 voucher.
There are also hot meals and snacks for students up to Grade Two. “We ensure all students have free exercise books and text books,” she noted.
Every school, too, has enough furniture for the children, “and this is the first time in our country, that we could record Guyana having enough furniture for every single child in this country.” She called on parents to raise the issue with their regional representatives, if there are furniture shortages.
“There was a time when your children didn’t have furniture…when they were asked to bring their own furniture, but I hardly think it was because the people at the top didn’t want it to happen—it happened because they had no money to make it happen—they managed so badly, there was nothing in the pool to spend to make these things happen.”

 

 

 

Source: https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2015/02/21/dont-use-children-for-school-protests-manickchand-urges/

THE Ministry of Education yesterday launched the Atlantic Reader Books 1, 2 and 3 at the Port Mourant Primary School in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).Delivering the feature address at the event, President Donald Ramotar congratulated the Ministry’s team for the initiative which he said should be seen as a beginning for much more to come, in the line of locally produced literature for schools.

Noting the importance of this enterprise, the President said he was forced to raise the issue of affordable text books for school children at the United Nations (UN) level with the aim of addressing the issue of intellectual property rights.
“…While countries pay lip service to the importance of education, in many cases we in the third world are at a disadvantage because when we buy books we have to pay extraordinarily high prices because of the issue of intellectual property rights.”
During a recent United Nations forum, President Ramotar said he took the opportunity to point out that if the UN is serious about ensuring that there is an educated world, then the issue of intellectual property rights must be looked at forthwith, so that developing countries can have the books that are necessary to give students a good start in life.
“We have made a first step, and I’m extremely happy and proud, and we have much more work to do in bringing out more texts for our children so that we can serve more of our people.”
The Head of State added that the world at large has long ago recognised the importance of education, not only for the personal benefits that it brings to an individual, but also to a country as a whole.

“It is important in the development of any country that the people of that country should be educated. And as such, this Government has been investing in its people,” the President told the large gathering. “Investing in education is important for both the economic and social development of a country,” he added.

Education – important ingredient for development

Reiterating the importance of education in nation building, President Ramotar said this goes directly to the PPP/C’s philosophy, which is that education is the most important factor for development.
In reinforcing his point, the President made reference to countries which have booming economies, but have little or no natural resources, and cited Japan as an excellent example where that country has little natural resources but is the third largest economy in the world because “it has a highly educated work force that attracts investment and people who are innovative enough spend time to create their own investment, and therefore investing in education is very important for the whole economic and social development of our society.”
He added that it is for this reason the current administration has been focusing heavily on the social sector, more importantly the education sector that has benefited from numerous interventions.
Already he noted that these interventions are bearing fruit as a recent study by the Inter-American Development Bank ‘At Risk Youth – An urgent Challenge for the Caribbean’, has indicated that Guyana’s dropout rates have been pleasing and on the decline.

The report also shows that in the last 20 years, Guyana has reduced the proportion of children dropping out at the general secondary level by more than 75%.
“It’s the combination of all the measures we have been using that has allowed us to be the top country in South America and the Caribbean to keep our children in school,” the President stated.
He noted that another very positive development that augurs well for the future is “we are the top country in the whole region in enrolment in nursery education, and that I expect will give our children an advantage as they go forward and into their own educational life and career paths.”
The Head of State further congratulated the Education Ministry’s officials for the excellent work they have been doing in the sector and encouraged them to continue in their efforts.

President Ramotar also encouraged the children at the function to take their education seriously, while he urged parents to keep abreast of what their children are doing in school.
Speaking of which, he made the point that Guyana is the only country in the Region to have succeeded in keeping its children in school, and to have the highest number of registered nursery-aged children.
He concluded by saying that it is the Government’s mandate “to ensure that no child would be disadvantaged, but will have an opportunity to be able to achieve their full potential.”

Education Minister Ms Priya Manickchand, in an impassioned speech, spoke of how fortunate Guyanese are to have a leader who is recognised worldwide for championing the cause of education. She was referring to the fact that President Ramotar sits on a global forum called the Education First Initative that was set up by the United Nations Secretary General, which champions the cause for education.
This body, she pointed out, deals with issues that affect the education sector worldwide with the aim of coming up with tangible solutions.
Minister Manickchand said she was extremely pleased that the launch of the books will address something specific and short-term to the primary education sector, as it will eventually benefit all school age children and the nation at large.
“We have 441 primary schools and we have unique challenges, and we have been able to craft unique solutions and this has caused us to be recognised worldwide as a country that is doing progressively better in the education sector.”
The Education Minister also used the opportunity to warn against those who will always find fault with the achievements in spite of all that has been achieved.

It is for this reason the education sector, she said, should be looked at from a holistic point, as she called on Guyanese to reflect on where the sector has come from and where it is today. Currently the education sector receives 15% of the national budget.
The Minister also lauded the team that worked on the books as its members defied the odds. She noted it will serve its purpose as the initiative serves to showcase local talents, while at the same time cutting cost of purchasing books from foreign countries.
The team of writers took nine months to put together the Atlantic Readers that are culturally relevant.
She noted that in the future the Ministry would look at the possibility of moving into the Caribbean with these child friendly publications. She further called on parents and teachers to play their part in assisting their children in using the books for their benefit.

Within nine months, a team of Guyanese wrote and published the Readers so as to achieve the Ministry’s aim to have all children literate by Grade 4, Marcel Hutson, Assistant Chief Education Officer (Primary) explained.
Regional Chairman for Region 6, Permaul Armogan explained the importance of reading, and the ability to read. He mentioned that this launch is taking place at a school that the late Former President, Dr Cheddi Jagan had attended; an opportunity not many were afforded at the time.
As such, Armogan said, education became a priority for Dr Jagan and successive Presidents in the PPP/C administration since 1992.

“Reading helps to improve all aspects of life,” he said. He applauded the ministry on this initiative as it will greatly assist the children and parents as well.
Speaking in her capacity as a parent, Quenita Waldron, Parent and Early Childhood Development Consultant, explained that the manner in which the books are written will greatly benefit the children and make them more confident with their reading. She thanked the Government and the Education Ministry for assisting yet again in affording each child a copy of the reader, free of cost.
She also urged parents, like herself, to pay attention to their children’s performance in school and “do not be afraid to ask the teachers questions about your children.” Waldron mentioned that with this Reader, a parent will be able to follow the schoolwork that their children are doing in their respective classes. (Rebecca Ganesh-Ally)

 

Source: http://guyanachronicle.com/2015/02/20/education-is-key-to-a-nations-development-president-reiterates-at-launch-of-moe-atlantic-reader-books-for-primary-age-children

 

THE Ministry of Education yesterday launched the Atlantic Reader Books 1, 2 and 3 at the Port Mourant Primary School in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).Delivering the feature address at the event, President Donald Ramotar congratulated the Ministry’s team for the initiative which he said should be seen as a beginning for much more to come, in the line of locally produced literature for schools.

Noting the importance of this enterprise, the President said he was forced to raise the issue of affordable text books for school children at the United Nations (UN) level with the aim of addressing the issue of intellectual property rights.
“…While countries pay lip service to the importance of education, in many cases we in the third world are at a disadvantage because when we buy books we have to pay extraordinarily high prices because of the issue of intellectual property rights.”
During a recent United Nations forum, President Ramotar said he took the opportunity to point out that if the UN is serious about ensuring that there is an educated world, then the issue of intellectual property rights must be looked at forthwith, so that developing countries can have the books that are necessary to give students a good start in life.
“We have made a first step, and I’m extremely happy and proud, and we have much more work to do in bringing out more texts for our children so that we can serve more of our people.”
The Head of State added that the world at large has long ago recognised the importance of education, not only for the personal benefits that it brings to an individual, but also to a country as a whole.

“It is important in the development of any country that the people of that country should be educated. And as such, this Government has been investing in its people,” the President told the large gathering. “Investing in education is important for both the economic and social development of a country,” he added.

Education – important ingredient for development

Reiterating the importance of education in nation building, President Ramotar said this goes directly to the PPP/C’s philosophy, which is that education is the most important factor for development.
In reinforcing his point, the President made reference to countries which have booming economies, but have little or no natural resources, and cited Japan as an excellent example where that country has little natural resources but is the third largest economy in the world because “it has a highly educated work force that attracts investment and people who are innovative enough spend time to create their own investment, and therefore investing in education is very important for the whole economic and social development of our society.”
He added that it is for this reason the current administration has been focusing heavily on the social sector, more importantly the education sector that has benefited from numerous interventions.
Already he noted that these interventions are bearing fruit as a recent study by the Inter-American Development Bank ‘At Risk Youth – An urgent Challenge for the Caribbean’, has indicated that Guyana’s dropout rates have been pleasing and on the decline.

The report also shows that in the last 20 years, Guyana has reduced the proportion of children dropping out at the general secondary level by more than 75%.
“It’s the combination of all the measures we have been using that has allowed us to be the top country in South America and the Caribbean to keep our children in school,” the President stated.
He noted that another very positive development that augurs well for the future is “we are the top country in the whole region in enrolment in nursery education, and that I expect will give our children an advantage as they go forward and into their own educational life and career paths.”
The Head of State further congratulated the Education Ministry’s officials for the excellent work they have been doing in the sector and encouraged them to continue in their efforts.

President Ramotar also encouraged the children at the function to take their education seriously, while he urged parents to keep abreast of what their children are doing in school.
Speaking of which, he made the point that Guyana is the only country in the Region to have succeeded in keeping its children in school, and to have the highest number of registered nursery-aged children.
He concluded by saying that it is the Government’s mandate “to ensure that no child would be disadvantaged, but will have an opportunity to be able to achieve their full potential.”

Education Minister Ms Priya Manickchand, in an impassioned speech, spoke of how fortunate Guyanese are to have a leader who is recognised worldwide for championing the cause of education. She was referring to the fact that President Ramotar sits on a global forum called the Education First Initative that was set up by the United Nations Secretary General, which champions the cause for education.
This body, she pointed out, deals with issues that affect the education sector worldwide with the aim of coming up with tangible solutions.

Minister Manickchand said she was extremely pleased that the launch of the books will address something specific and short-term to the primary education sector, as it will eventually benefit all school age children and the nation at large.
“We have 441 primary schools and we have unique challenges, and we have been able to craft unique solutions and this has caused us to be recognised worldwide as a country that is doing progressively better in the education sector.”
The Education Minister also used the opportunity to warn against those who will always find fault with the achievements in spite of all that has been achieved.

It is for this reason the education sector, she said, should be looked at from a holistic point, as she called on Guyanese to reflect on where the sector has come from and where it is today. Currently the education sector receives 15% of the national budget.
The Minister also lauded the team that worked on the books as its members defied the odds. She noted it will serve its purpose as the initiative serves to showcase local talents, while at the same time cutting cost of purchasing books from foreign countries.
The team of writers took nine months to put together the Atlantic Readers that are culturally relevant.
She noted that in the future the Ministry would look at the possibility of moving into the Caribbean with these child friendly publications. She further called on parents and teachers to play their part in assisting their children in using the books for their benefit.

Within nine months, a team of Guyanese wrote and published the Readers so as to achieve the Ministry’s aim to have all children literate by Grade 4, Marcel Hutson, Assistant Chief Education Officer (Primary) explained.
Regional Chairman for Region 6, Permaul Armogan explained the importance of reading, and the ability to read. He mentioned that this launch is taking place at a school that the late Former President, Dr Cheddi Jagan had attended; an opportunity not many were afforded at the time.
As such, Armogan said, education became a priority for Dr Jagan and successive Presidents in the PPP/C administration since 1992.

“Reading helps to improve all aspects of life,” he said. He applauded the ministry on this initiative as it will greatly assist the children and parents as well.
Speaking in her capacity as a parent, Quenita Waldron, Parent and Early Childhood Development Consultant, explained that the manner in which the books are written will greatly benefit the children and make them more confident with their reading. She thanked the Government and the Education Ministry for assisting yet again in affording each child a copy of the reader, free of cost.
She also urged parents, like herself, to pay attention to their children’s performance in school and “do not be afraid to ask the teachers questions about your children.” Waldron mentioned that with this Reader, a parent will be able to follow the schoolwork that their children are doing in their respective classes.

 

 

 

Source: (Rebecca Ganesh-Ally) http://guyanachronicle.com/2015/02/20/education-is-key-to-a-nations-development-president-reiterates-at-launch-of-moe-atlantic-reader-books-for-primary-age-children

… as parents protest school closure 
Within several days, the Ministry of Education on Brickdam has attracted protest action. On Tuesday, parents and supporters of students from St. John’s Secondary School at Leonora, West Coast Demerara, were protesting the closure of the school for the past two years by the Region Three administration.

The school specializes in teaching students who are slow learners. The Region Three administration cited an overhanging ‘beam’ for the closure two years ago. Since then the students are being taught at the Den Amstel pavilion.
According to the protestors yesterday, the students were first taken out of the school almost three years ago, with promises that repairs would be effected. This has never occurred and the parents are fed up.
Anand, an AFC Regional Councilor from Region Three, said, “They said that there’s a beam that is causing a problem. They said they will do some work on it. But two years have passed, going onto three and no repairs have even commenced… The students were meanwhile moved to the Den Amstel pavilion. The Den Amstel pavilion is no place for school children; it’s a pavilion for sports.”
He stated that when it rains, the students are severely discomfited and are crying out to be allowed to go back to their school.

The Regional Councillor added that the matter was brought up at several meetings of the Regional Democratic Council, by AFC councillors and the promise was made that a new school would be built.
“Now elections time coming up and they (administration) are spending millions of dollars. I am asking them, as a councillor, why don’t they build a new school or renovate that school for the students?
“Manickchand says she cares. She only cares to give $10,000. She doesn’t care to give students comfort. So we are calling on the Ministry of Education to intervene.”
According to another protestor, it was discussed at a meeting with Chief Education Officer, Olato Sam, last year that St. John’s would be phased out and the students might find themselves being integrated into the normal school system.
“We do not want St. John’s to be phased out. We need St. John’s because it’s established and it caters for students who are slow learners. The administration needs the right attitude to look after these children. If they are put into secondary schools, they will not be able to perform as they should.”
Political activist, Frederick Kissoon, who was present at the protest, was vociferous in demanding that St. John’s students get back their school.
“I know what is going on in education. I’ve seen how my own workplace at University of Guyana has fallen down and is almost dying. And you draw the line where children’s education is concerned.”
“The children are in a dilapidated makeshift structure and when it rains, they get wet. This points to a heartless government. You just do not play with children’s education and that is the bottom line of national culture anywhere in the world.”

It was only on Monday that the Ministry of Education building on Brickdam attracted UG workers protesting among other things, government’s inaction in their industrial dispute.

 

 

Source: https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2015/02/19/ministry-of-education-hit-by-further-protests/

THE rain did not stop the action as the Ministry of Education/Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company Limited (GT&T) Children’s Mash Parade took the streets by storm on Saturday. With more than 50 entries for this year’s parade, it was a delight to see our children make their costumes come to life as they depicted current issues in Guyana, with the vibrancy and vigour of youth.

Hundreds of persons braved the rain to have a glimpse of our young Guyanese that came from all the Administrative Regions of the country to celebrate this significant juncture in our culture.
The telephone giant sponsored students of the North Georgetown Secondary School, who were dressed in the signature ‘blue’ and wowed the onlookers with their exceptionally radiant outfits and choreographed moves.
Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, told this publication that the Children’s Costume Parade has improved over the years. She noted that she is happy that the weather did not deter the participants or the spectators from the parade.
“As always it is an excellent collaboration between the Ministry of Education and GT&T. It has been quite successful and there are notably more people and families coming out to view the parade each year,” she commented.

The minister noted that the contribution of corporate Guyana would assist greatly in lifting the standard of the event.
“Of course, we would encourage the involvement of other private sector entities that would wish to collaborate with the Education Ministry and individual schools to help make such a programme which fosters creativity, talent and skills of young children to be successful. It is always a wonderful way to invest in the future of our nation,” Minister Manickchand said.

Dr. Frank Anthony, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, noted that he was pleasantly surprised with the high quality of costumes that were displayed. He related also that every year the parade is attracting greater participation as well as spectators, and this he is very happy about.
Minister Anthony also took the opportunity to encourage persons to come out on February 23 (Mash Day) and support the revellers. He alluded to the fact that the parade on Mashramani Day has approximately 30 registered bands with the largest, so far, carrying 1,200 revellers.

Proceedings commenced at the Parade Ground at Carmichael & Middle Streets in Georgetown, and the procession wended its way into Camp Street, then into Lamaha Street and then into Albert Street before entering the National Park, where the costumes were finally judged.

Among those witnessing this event at the National Park were Ministers Frank Anthony and Priya Manickchand; officials of the sponsor, GT&T; and Mashramani Committee members and coordinators.
The Children’s Costume Parade is the culmination of the Children’s Mashramani activities that started on February 12 with the dance and masquerade segments that were witnessed by a packed-to-capacity National Cultural Centre (NCC) with eager children, parents and teachers. With participation from all the Regions and Georgetown, the competition bar was set very high, making the judges’ work very hard.
This year’s performance for the Regional Children Mashramani Competition and Costume Parade, brought out our young Guyanese to showcase their talents and saw them putting more efforts into perfecting the different arts.

 

 

 

 

 

Source: (By Rebecca Ganesh-Ally) – https://guyanachronicle.com/2015/02/15/rain-fails-to-stop-childrens-mash-parade-as-they-dazzle-spectators-with-radiant-outfits-and-well-choreographed-moves

AS the regions clashed yesterday to see who will be crowned the best at the Regional Children’s Mashramani Competition, the National Cultural Centre was filled with waves of excitement being emitted from the scores of children. 

With lots of anxiety and wet palms, the participants at this year’s regional competition gave their best and their best was spectacular. Yesterday’s dance and masquerade segments were witnessed by a packed to capacity National Cultural Centre (NCC) with eager children, parents and teachers.
The Coordinator of Drama at the Allied Arts, Lorraine Barker-King, during her welcoming remarks at the NCC related that the Children’s Mashramani activities officially became the responsibility of the Education Ministry in February 1992. It was the task, she continued, of the Allied Arts Department to coordinate and integrate the expressive arts such as dance, music, physical education and visual arts into the school system.
She acknowledged all sponsors for this year’s competition, Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company Limited (GT&T), Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry and the Massy Group of Companies.

The coordinator mentioned that slated to perform on the first day of competition were some 86 registered groups. “You are in for quite a treat today as all our regions, all ten plus Georgetown, will wow you off your feet.”
While declaring the competition officially open, Education Minister Priya Manickchand reminded the children that this year Guyana is celebrating its 45th Republic Anniversary and this means “as a nation we are our own people.” She explained that much work has been invested into our country and now all over the world “we are celebrated, whether it is for our CXC performances or our achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.”
The Education Minister urged students “do your school work, pay attention to your teachers and with this you can take Guyana to new heights.” She emphasised that at these competitions, “we are able to bring to light the talents that our students possess, not only in Georgetown but from all our regions.”
Manickchand concluded by encouraging parents to allow their children to participate in the competitions as it will make them ‘rounded students’. “Children ask your parents to bring you out on Saturday to the Children’s Costume Parade, starting at Parade Ground and then to the National Park. Come out and support our children and teachers,” she urged.

As the competition rolled into gear Hopetown Primary from Region 5 (Mahaica-Berbice) stunned the NCC as they performed a piece, in the 5-7 years category, titled School Days.
In this year’s competition, compared to 2014, there were more entries in the masquerade category. This art form was feared to be a dying art form and the persistent efforts of the Ministry of Culture, collaborating with the Education Ministry, have somewhat revived it.
As the second half of the competition commenced the senior groups brought their ‘A’ game as their performances displayed admirable coordination and immense talent. The newly added ‘hip hop’ category saw many entries, showcasing the talents of the male students.
The competition continues today with Calypso and Dramatic Poetry at the NCC, starting at 9:30h sharp while the Costume Parade is set to kick off tomorrow from the Parade Ground.

 

 

 

 

Source: By Rebecca Ganesh-Ally – https://guyanachronicle.com/2015/02/12/childrens-mash-competition-clash-of-the-regions-fills-ncc-with-waves-of-excitement

Eighteen years after the passing of the Domestic Violence Act, its regulations were finally gazetted last month and officially launched yesterday by Human Services and Society Security Minister Jennifer Webster.

Speaking at the launch at Cara Lodge yesterday, Attorney General Anil Nandlall said that while the regulations will never be the remedy for domestic violence in Guyana, they were certainly among the identified mechanisms to address the issue.

He said the Act itself, which failed to define domestic violence, would soon undergo amendment. With Parliament prorogued and general elections set for May it is difficult to see how this will be accomplished.

The regulations are the result of “widespread consultations” with users of the Act, interested groups, legal practitioners, interpreters of the Act and law enforcement officers.

“Domestic violence does not discriminate against economic or social standard,” Nandlall said, adding that it permeates every section of society. He noted that the issue may be even more pronounced in Guyana.

He noted that some police officers are now trained to deal with domestic violence, while being made familiar with the Domestic Violence Act. “It is a work in progress,” he said.

The Regulations permit persons to give evidence by way of an affidavit, which can be filed with the clerk or may be presented to the court at the time of the hearing. The regulations also clarify and explain the number of orders that are grantable.

Nandlall indicated that time and the delay in the hearing of applications have always been serious issues and these are addressed in the Regulations.

The serving of complaints and orders were also addressed in the Regulations as it was found that personal service is not practical if it would likely endanger the safety of the applicant or the person on whose behalf the application is made. The applicant does not have to be present at the time of the service when the applicant’s agent executes service.

Minister Webster said gender-based violence and domestic violence have to be stopped. She stated that violence “knows not colour, class, ethnicity or culture” and it has been recognized that a coordinated and sustained approach is necessary to address the issue.

She said that in 2014 there were 3,051 reports of domestic violence and these statistics tell the story of the economic cost of such violence to the society.

She pointed to the need for more collaboration between social workers and medical personnel and the importance for everyone to join the fight. Webster said she will personally solicit the cooperation of the Guyana Police Force to ensure that protection orders are enforced. “I think it is really necessary because many times many of our women are at risk,” she said.

Webster commended Nandlall and his team of lawyers from the Attorney General’s Chambers for working closely with the ministry on the Regulations. “Today is a significant day for all of us in Guyana in the fight to end domestic violence and gender-based violence in our society. We have made a positive step in the right direction,” she stated.

Meanwhile, Education Minister Priya Manickchand posited that domestic violence springs from a power struggle between genders. She said it occurs because there is a failure to arrive at gender equality.

Manickchand said many people grew up in a culture where it was acceptable for a “man to slap his wife or girlfriend”. She said billions are being spent on repairing women who have been victims of domestic violence but little is spent on the promotion of gender equality.

Director of Social Services Wentworth Tanner said domestic violence is one of the most unreported crimes and that there is a serious need to change the culture of a “quiet tolerance” toward domestic violence.

Copies of the Regulations could be downloaded from the ministry’s website or the Official Gazette website: http://officialgazette.gov.gy/

Rights activists have criticized the government for many years for not activating all of the facets of the Domestic Violence Act and issuing regulations.

 

 

 

Source: https://www.stabroeknews.com/2015/news/guyana/02/12/domestic-violence-regulations-launched/

THE Human Services and Social Security Ministry in another bid to “stamp out” the quiet tolerance of domestic violence yesterday launched the Domestic Violence Regulations, which address the deficiencies in the principal Act.Though the Domestic Violence Act of 1996 placed spotlight on the societal scourge, like any other, it was not a perfect legislation. The newly launched regulations seek to strengthen the Principal Act by addressing a number of shortcomings therein.

Education Minister, Priya Manickchand hailed the development as a step in the right direction, noting that the issue is a matter close to her.                    
                                                                                                                                                                                        She pointed out that domestic violence is caused primarily by gender inequality and where one partner uses physical force to control or dominate the other.
Speaking at the launch at Cara Lodge, Quamina Street, Georgetown, Manickchand who previously served as Human Services and Social Security Minister, said Guyana has come a long way since the passage of the Domestic Violence Act in addressing the scourge, as it is no longer viewed as an accepted norm as before.
But, she stressed that more still needs to be done in terms of getting everyone to understand and accept the seriousness of the problem.
Government on its part, apart from enacting the Domestic Violence Act of 1996, has also established the Men’s Affairs Bureau, the Women’s Affairs Bureau as well as implementing the Women of Worth (WoW) Project, just to name a few initiatives, to address domestic violence.
These came into operation following wide consultations with the people, as the Administration seeks to rid the society of this scourge, having recognised that it is not only harmful to victims, but also to the development of the country.
The fight against domestic violence, Manickchand also emphasised, will not be successful with the efforts of Government alone, but will require the effort of all stakeholders, more particularly the churches, masjids and temples.

Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, though acknowledging that the regulations took some time to materialise, noted that it was born out of wide consultation with a variety of stakeholders.
He pointed out that the Principal Act will be amended as it omits a definition for domestic violence, but said the amendments will not affect the regulations and these also will be amended and expanded upon as deemed fit.
The definition for domestic violence will be a universal definition, more or less in keeping with the one embraced by the United Nations and various international treaties on the subject.
Domestic violence is not only a serious problem in Guyana, but a problem affecting countries the world over.
Women aged 15-44 are more at risk from rape and domestic violence than from cancer, car accidents, war, and malaria, according to World Bank data. Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behaviour in any relationship used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over his/her intimate partner.
It can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions that influence their partners. This includes behaviour to intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, coerce, threaten, blame, injure or wound someone.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Domestic violence can occur regardless of race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender, socio-economic backgrounds and education levels. Acts of domestic violence can happen to intimate partners who are married, living together, or dating.
Up to 70 percent of women experience violence in their lifetimes. Children who grow up witnessing domestic violence, are among those seriously affected by this crime. Several global surveys suggest that half of all women who die from homicide are killed by their current or former husbands or partner.
Legislative reforms

Nandlall said apart from the Domestic Violence Act of 1996, other legislative reforms were made to address the problem, notably, amendments to the Prevision of Crimes Act of 2008, which makes it mandatory for those convicted of domestic violence to be supervised by the Police for three years after completion of their sentences; the Evidence Act of 2008, which protects witnesses including victim witnesses by allowing for the taking of oral evidence and making of submissions via visual links and the use of audio-visual link facility for conducting identification parades; and the Criminal Law (Procedures) Act of 2008, which allows Magistrates to exercise their discretion and admit into evidence a written statement in lieu of the actual presence of the witness (paper committal).
However, the minister noted that the challenge for the criminal justice system is finding an effective response to domestic violence. This continuous search for solutions and ways to combat domestic violence require constant revision of practices and policies.
As such, Nandlall said a review of the deficiencies of the Domestic Violence Act was conducted and Regulations have been created to remedy those deficiencies.

Under the Regulations, victims can enjoy access to the court without an Attorney or the filing of Affidavit Evidence as Oral Evidence is acceptable; persons who are not victims can make applications to the court; victims and abusers are separated during court matter to avoid aggravation of problem, but the alleged abuser is provided a reasonable timeframe to file his defence; serving of Court Order can be done by email; the police have a greater role in addressing domestic violence; and ambiguities in the principal Act have been clarified, among others.
The Legal Affairs Minister also stressed that legislation is not a panacea for domestic violence, but a mechanism to address the scourge, underscoring the need for all to play a role in ridding the scourge from society.
Human Services and Social Security Minister, Jennifer Webster said Domestic Violence does not only affect the victims, but society as a whole, contending that the Government remains committed in implementing international best policies to tackle the problem.

 

 

 

Source: https://guyanachronicle.com/2015/02/11/quiet-tolerance-of-domestic-violence-unacceptable-regulations-launched-to-tackle-scourge

—insists Union is deliberately misrepresenting facts

While both sides have boasted of amicable working relations over the years, 2015 broke

with the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) adopting what some have deemed “blame game” tactics.  This development has been in relation to the issues duty free concessions and the debunching payout for teachers within the public education system.
Press conferences have been held by either side to state their respective cases, and neither has relented on its views.

The GTU is insisting that the Ministry has neglected to grant in excess of 100 eligible teachers their duty free concessions and has failed to payout debunching monies, which is, in essence, teachers being paid on a higher scale based on their years of service. While both sides have agreed that it was only last year that measures were fully put in place for the debunching payment, the argument being put forward by the Union is that the teachers who have not received their duty concessions were eligible since 2009.
But Minister of Education Priya Manickchand is convinced that the Union is merely on an attention-seeking mission.
“The GTU, in my view, is grandstanding and that may well be good for them as far as grandstanding goes, but it is certainly not helping or serving their membership, and in my view that is truly sad.”
Manickchand at a press conference last month had opined that the Union’s action is akin to one attempting to”stay relevant or becoming relevant…”

However, the Union subsequently hit back by revealing to this publication that it not only has proof to backup its claims that the Ministry is solely to be blamed for the non-payment of the debunching monies and the non-granting of the duty free concessions, but it was prepared to make same public.
Manickchand, in speaking specifically to the issue of duty free concessions, has insisted that while this was the public claim of the Union, “I still await the names of the teachers who they say were entitled to the concession in accordance with the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding (between Government and the GTU). We would take great pleasure in serving those teachers if indeed they were entitled in 2009”.
The Minister is adamant that based on her Ministry’s records, there is no backlog as it relates to the granting of duty

concessions.

The Union is from all indications unwilling to deal directly with the Minister and has revealed that it has simply been following the recommended protocol – that is, sending all relevant documents directly to the office of the Ministry’s Human Resource Officer, and not the Minister.

Nevertheless, the Minister in an unprecedented move has appealed for dialogue with the Union’s executive to address the foregoing issues.
This publication has been privy to a string of electronic communications between the Education Minister and the Union that were transmitted following publication of a number of articles in this newspaper highlighting several of the Union’s concerns. The Minister in her correspondence spoke of the earlier alluded to “working relations” between the two bodies (Ministry and Union) and questioned why some of the issues raised for the first time in the press were not brought to her attention. In fact, at a press conference the Minister noted that while she has never dissuaded the Union from talking with the media, one of her requests has always been to bring the concerns to her attention, at least simultaneously.
“I reflect on the years gone by and am deeply appreciative of the collaborative and consultative nature of our relationship that we have developed and nurtured. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that our sustained, sensible engagements have enured to the benefit of the entire education system, and specifically, to your membership,” the Minister’s missive continued.

As such, she has expressed disappointment over the Unions move to highlight issues relating to a space concern at the Brickdam Secondary School, and called the concerns published, relating to the debunching and duty free concession issues, as “inaccuracies and misrepresentations.”
Manickchand has therefore maintained that not only have the disclosures been fraught with inaccuracies, but the Union has failed to note that some of these very inaccuracies were clarified since the tenure of the former GTU President, Colin Bynoe. This however did not stop Bynoe, during a recent interview with this publication from accusing the Ministry of being “dishonest and respectful” as it relates to the debunching payment.
The Minister in her writings to the Union has however chronicled the course of implementing the debunching feature, which she claimed saw the close involvement of representatives on both the Union and Ministry sides. She therefore questioned how the Union could blame the Ministry solely for delaying the payment of the debunching monies when, according to her, the Union has been well aware of the entire process.
“I cannot allow myself to believe that there was a deliberate attempt to misrepresent the true nature of our (MoE/GTU) partnership and/or our joint efforts, because that would certainly cause us to reconsider the way we engage and that would be sad, as there is still much that we need to do, and indeed can do, for our teachers and children,” the Minister said to the Union.

 

 

 

Source: https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2015/02/08/manickchand-concerned-over-gtus-continued-grandstanding/

The Caribbean Secondary Education Certification (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) examinations set for May 11, 2015 have been rescheduled.

Moreover, the examinations scheduled for May 11 and May 12, 2015 will now be written by local candidates on June 15 and June 16, 2015 respectively. This means that local candidates will be sitting a number of examinations days after their Caribbean counterparts.
This announcement was made by Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, during a press conference at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD), Kingston, Georgetown, yesterday.
This move is one that was employed to counter concerns regarding the fact that the CXC examinations as well as General and Regional Elections were scheduled for the same date.
The Elections date has been viewed by many factions as a rather controversial one, but according to the Education Minister yesterday the state of affairs in her opinion is “a non-issue.”
This is in light of the fact that both the Minister and CXC’s Pro-Registrar, Glenroy Cumberbatch, are in agreement that the situation is not unique to Guyana.

According to Cumberbatch, there have been occasions in the past that CXC has had to reschedule examinations in a number of territories, undertakings he claimed have been done successfully.
He added that even outside of the Caribbean there are examining boards such as in the Philippines that have moved their examinations date because of elections. “This is a regular practice; it is not unusual at all,” added Cumberbatch.
The Education Minister interjected to assert that “this is not something done by CXC alone…We were wondering what the big hullabaloo was because we were working things out; give us some space to work out what we needed to do, which is what we have done here.”
“This is not in any way going to be disadvantageous to our children and it is going to allow for the democratic process of selecting a Government to take place smoothly…” added Manickchand.
The Minister during her deliberations yesterday pointed out that as part of its regular paper setting protocol, CXC prepares additional examinations in the same subject area.  This will therefore translate to the Guyanese candidates at both CSEC and CAPE being tasked with writing parallel papers to their regional counterparts.
However, all examination papers will be equal in value and weight, Manickchand insisted yesterday. “CXC will mark all scripts and issue all results at the same time the CXC/CAPE results were originally scheduled to be delivered,” she added.

The intervention of CXC however, usually attracts a cost that Governments are expected to cover, the Pro-Registrar noted. Cumberbatch was however unable to give the cost that the Guyana Government will incur to shift the examination dates. “I don’t know the cost off hand, but what we will have to do is work it out, given that we have prepared papers already.
“What is involved in this one is to transfer additional papers to Guyana…what is the cost for that? We are going to be working on cost over the next few days and we are going to inform the Minister,” Cumberbatch said.
This will also mean that Guyana would have to stand all necessary costs to ensure the integrity of the examinations.
But perhaps neither elections tension nor the costs that Government will have to incur was really taken into consideration when a decision was made to change the dates for the CXC administered examinations that were slated for May 11, 2015.

In fact from all indications the Minister herself hadn’t an opportunity to dissuade the President from naming May 11 as Elections Day. She, in explaining the process, noted that the President is entitled to name a date for elections.
Manickchand said that the President’s naming of the date was influenced by the readiness of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). And Manickchand added, “As far as I understand, all the dates that were given by GECOM that would be possible elections dates given that they themselves are bound by certain timelines…All the dates that they submitted were in the CXC period…
“It was inevitable that we would have faced this slight hurdle which we have crossed effectively.”
At her press conference Minister Manickchand said that her Ministry was cognizant of the general concerns regarding CSEC and CAPE being timetabled for the same date with the Elections.
She disclosed that her Ministry was always keen to ensure that examinations are conducted in a smooth and effective manner and was therefore in consultation with CXC and other stakeholders about what might be best for our candidates.

Moreover, several possible options that could be exercised were discussed and considered. And according to Manickchand, “At all times during the discussions and deliberations, the Ministry’s paramount consideration was the best interest of the candidates.”
Because of the change in the examination dates, the morning of June 15 will see candidates sitting the following CSEC subjects: Agricultural Science (Double Award)-Paper2; Agricultural Science (Single Award)-Paper 2 and Theatre Arts –Paper1. In the afternoon of June 15, the following CSEC subjects will be written: Electrical and Electronic Technology-Paper 1; Food and Nutrition – Paper2.
The CSEC examinations shifted to June 16 will include Home Economics: Management – Paper 2 and Technical Drawing-Paper 2 in the morning, and Electrical and Electronic Technology Paper 2 in the afternoon.
Meanwhile, CAPE subjects set for the morning of June 15 are Geometrical and Mechanical Engineering Drawing Unit 1 – Paper 2, History Unit 1 – Paper 2 and Art and Design unit 1 and 2 – Paper 2 and 3 while in the afternoon candidates will undertake the Communication Studies- Paper 2. The following morning CAPE candidates will sit French Unit 2 – Paper 2 and Environmental Science Unit 2-Paper 2 while in the afternoon they will be tasked with sitting Pure Mathematics Unit 1 – Paper 2.
It was disclosed, yesterday, that CXC will also officially inform the candidates about this change in timetabling even as the Education Ministry take all necessary steps to ensure all candidates are informed of the timetable change too, said Manickchand.
She also expressed gratitude to CXC yesterday stressing that “the Ministry of Education takes this opportunity to thank the Caribbean Examinations Council for being the good partner to the Ministry, Guyana and her people that this body has always been.”

 

 

 

Source: https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2015/01/27/cxc-exams-shifted-to-facilitate-may-11-polls/