EDUCATION Minister Priya Manickchand refuted claims made by several Members of Parliament (MPs) of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) that the 2014 Budget Theme is similar to the PPP party’s 2011 manifesto.

She stressed that if that is the case, the Opposition should have no problem supporting the national estimates, as allocations therein are geared to fulfill the many promises made to the people of Guyana during the 2011 campaign.
On Monday night in the National Assembly, she pleaded with the combined Opposition to do the right thing and put Guyana first by doing what is “good and right” for the Guyanese people.

“There will be opportunities, sooner or later, for their vision — if they have any — to be taken to the people… But until then, we have a responsibility to the people of this country,” Manickchand said.

The Education Minister noted that the responsibility Government has to the Guyanese people is a responsibility to all Guyanese, not just some. “All Guyanese have to include the people who democratically chose this Government… ‘A better Guyana for all Guyanese’ is (talking about) all Guyana, not some,” she said, as she referred to the “biased” positions taken by the Opposition in relation to the sugar and bauxite industries.

Manickchand continued: “My constituents are saying that they feel that they are being discriminated against because they voted for the PPP/C. They believe they are being punished.

“Yes, you can say you support the allocation to the education sector, but when you take away means from their parents, as will happen if the allocations to the sugar industry are cut, you still do our children harm… This is what will happen when you chop this budget.”

According to Manickchand, the theme of the 2014 Budget is apt, and the onus in now on the Opposition to fill the gap between their words and actions, and work with Government for a better Guyana.

The Education Minister highlighted that Guyana has “held its own” over the last eight years, recording consecutive growth rates at a time when countries the world over have been challenged.

“We are seeing visibly the signs of growth…there are things that can visibly identify as to whether or not we are growing… To say there is no growth is insipid, when we see clear evidence of growth,” she said.

Stating that growth does not come easily, Manickchand lauded the economic stewardship of Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh. “It is this (stewardship) and vision that have allowed us to see continued growth for eight years,” she said.
The minister lambasted APNU MP Joseph Harmon for references he had made to the Finance Ministry staff as “tired” in his criticisms of the 2014 Estimates. She flayed him for “targeting” professionals who should be allowed to work and be respected, regardless of their political allegiances.

Manickchand pointed out that the Director of the Budget Office is a woman, Sonya Roopnauth, who has done well in her capacity; and under her stewardship has seen the Office realising accomplishments that “entire global” conferences are called to urge countries to do.

“We say ‘thank you’ to the ministry staff,” the minister said.

She was emphatic in stressing that the Government stands by the National Budget, which will bring good things to the Guyanese people.

Source: (By Vanessa Narine) https://guyanachronicle.com/2014/04/08/manickchand-refutes-apnu-claims-that-budget-2014-has-similar-theme-as-ppp-2011-manifesto

Dear Editor,
The Guyana Parliament has sunken to a new low, that is, persons become easily offended when a simple question is asked about their horrible past. It seems that no one on the government side can question a member of the opposition on any matter. This became forcibly clear when The Honourable Minister for Education Priya Manickchand was banned from speaking in the national assembly. The Centre of all of this is a statement rather a question asked by the minister she said “ask Sharma, ask your APNU member Sharma.” The Honourable Minister for Education was seeking clarification from the opposition member on the worrisome and contentious issue of statutory rape. We are well aware of the member of parliament’s father having several run ins with the law on this matter, so this is a very good way to start the discussion.

Instead of doing the mature thing in ignoring the question, Jaipaul Sharma quickly asked for an apology to which Speaker Trotman obliged. Minister Manickchand stood her ground and did not make an apology hence the speaker went ahead and banned her from taking part in further proceedings of the house. Now this is utter foolishness! Can you give me a valid reason why a minister is barred from taking part in the rest of the proceedings of the house? What parliamentary procedural breach did she violate?  Why should the minister be banned when all she was doing is seeking clarification on a matter? The minister was simply asking the presenter to turn the searchlight inwards by questioning someone right in her midst – of her own party – before bringing it to the full house. The minister was asking Volda Lawrence to do her homework with APNU member Jaipaul Sharma first before coming public.

I would ask the Minister of Education to make a humble apology reasons being, I would like those very important matters of education to be discussed. However, when it’s my turn to speak I will take the opportunity to raise the topic again with a polite question “Could APNU Member of Parliament Sharma shed some light on this matter? The point is this, if Trotman wants to turn the honourable house into a circus, then we are in this game together. If Trotman wants to be so childish then he must be given a strong dose of his own medicine. We can play the game. In fact I would ask Minister Manickchand to include in her deposition the important item of statutory rape as it relates to young boys – there is a very serious matter engaging the court right now with a popular radio announcer. Talk about serious issues of statutory rape and sexual perverts well, they have opened a can of worms on this matter.
There should be no gag order on the minister on a simple matter as this. Something of this nature could have been brushed aside with a non response from the opposite side, that is, if they were a mature and responsible group. But that is far from these losers who see parliament as a place where they can play out their small-mindedness helped by a speaker who accommodates them. Parliament is not a place for thin-skinned babies but a place for grown men and women who can withstand constructive criticisms and not flinch.

Neil Adams

Source: https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2014/04/04/why-should-minister-manickchand-apologize/

APNU Member of Parliament Jaipaul Sharma this afternoon announced his resignation from the National Assembly over remarks made by Minister of Education Priya Manickchand in reference to his father CN Sharma facing statutory rape charges.

The younger Sharma, who ‎demanded an apology from the minister after her comment on Tuesday, told reporters that he felt the ruling PPP/C would use the issue involving his father to damage the main opposition coalition.

It was while APNU Member Volda Lawrence was making her budget presentation and pointing out that men were not facing justice for statutory rape that the Minister heckled, saying, “Ask your member Sharma, your APNU chief member Sharma.” Speaker Raphael Trotman subsequently announced that he would not recognise her in the Assembly unless she apologized. Manickchand, however, stood her ground and the Speaker yesterday reversed his decision.

As a group of persons protested outside of the Public Buildings calling for the Minister to apologise, Sharma said that he thought it was the best decision to make even though he knew he sat on some of the parliamentary committees for the partnership. He was slated to make his presentation on the government’s proposed budget today. He added that while he also knows that the budget is important, he felt his decision was the right one.

The senior Sharma made an appearance at the Public Buildings today and sat in the public gallery, almost behind the Education Minister.

APNU leader David Granger, who met Sharma outside the Public Buildings yesterday, was approached by reporters for a comment on the development and he said he had not received a resignation letter from his member. (Sharma said that he sent to his resignation directly to Trotman.) Granger, however, said he would advise Sharma to reconsider his decision since he is a valuable member of the partnership and sits on important parliamentary committees.

After today’s sitting began, Trotman said that after reviewing a video leading up to and after the “minor incident,” he found that it did not refer to the APNU Member but rather for his father, CN  Sharma. The Speaker pointed out that even when Jaipaul Sharma raised his objection he had indicated that he felt the comment was meant for his father and that he (the Speaker) must take note of this fact. ‎

APNU’s Chief Whip Amna Ally, after hearing the Speaker’s new ruling, said the partnership was still demanding an apology. However, Trotman said while she could make the demand, he would not allow a debate on the issue.

Source: https://www.stabroeknews.com/2014/news/04/03/sharma-resigns-mp/

The pupils and teachers of Bath Primary School, West Berbice received a spanking new computer laboratory on Thursday as part of collaboration between the Canadian Global Partnership for Literacy and former student. Trevor Anthony SubAdmin.

A release from the Ministry of Education yesterday said that in a ceremony attended by Minister of Education Priya Manickchand, parents, pupils and teachers of Bath Primary, the Region Five Chairman and other Regional officers,  SubAdmin handed over the new computer lab to his alma mater.

The release said that SubAdmin spoke of his early days at Bath Primary and how through hard work and sacrifice he was able to overcome many adversities to become a successful businessman. He charged the students to be disciplined, dedicated and focused on the education they receive.

Manickchand said that investing in education continues to be a priority area of the Guyana government’s national growth strategy.

The Minister stated that: “The 2014 Budgetary allocation – provided it is passed through parliament without any cuts – will allow for improved infrastructure, the training of more teachers, provision of substantial financial support for each child, and generally improvement of the quality of education at all levels, from nursery to university.”

Following the ceremony, the Marian SubAdmin Computer Lab was commissioned.

The release said that presently there are 123 secondary schools currently equipped with computer laboratories, while 85 primary schools have computer laboratories.

Source: https://www.stabroeknews.com/2014/news/guyana/03/29/bath-primary-gets-computer-lab/

– Minister Manickchand

In spite of economical decline evident in many countries of the world in recent years, “Guyana has held her own and has grown. That is an amazing thing,” said Minister of Education, Priya Devi Manickchand, yesterday.
The Minister, who was at the time speaking at a forum at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD), in Kingston, Georgetown, alluded to the disclosures of Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh.

Dr Singh, presenting the 2014 National Budget on Monday, disclosed that Guyana has been able to realise eight consecutive years of economic growth. “That is something that we can be proud of…We are at a great place nationally,” Minister Manickchand observed.
“We could say that we are at the strongest place that Guyana has ever been really, economically, growth-wise and everything…and this is in a world economy that has not been kind to its people,” the Minister noted.
She said that growth in any country comes from strong policies, affirmed vision and from a relentless pursuit of that vision, something Government has been continuously embracing.

“With great stewardship and great leadership we are seeing Guyana grow…Anyhow you look at it, this is an achievement for Guyana that we can all celebrate irrespective of whatever affiliations people may have and where you live and what your views are on various issues,” Manickchand disclosed.
And it was because of evident national stability, the Minister said, that Government has been able to invest repeatedly, over the years, across sectors thereby enabling the realised growth.
However, it was the education sector, she underscored that has consistently been granted the lion’s share of the national budget.

“If you look at past (People Progressive Party/Civic’s budgets) you will see that undoubtedly a large budgetary allocation is made to the education sector every year,” asserted Manickchand.
This year, $32.3 B has been earmarked for the Education Sector. “This is the single sector that is receiving the most,” boasted the Education Minister, even as she turned her attention to the vast numbers who stand to benefit once this sizeable allocation is approved for spending.
And not only will children be the beneficiary of the education allocation, the Minister said, but also families, as a whole, are expected to be improved in the long run.
“If we are making this generation more prepared than we made the generation before, then we can be sure that Guyana is going to be a better place 50 years from now simply because we will have more capacity; we will have more children who are independent; more children who are better geared to take our country forward,” the Education Minister declared.
The Minister’s extensive deliberation was forthcoming even as she sought, in her own way, to simplify the “budgeted billions”.

“Sometimes when we talk about the billions of dollars we have, and the billions of dollars allocated to the Education Sector and how many billions of dollars are in the budget we get lost in what that really means…,” noted the Minister, as she pointed to the beneficiaries as the important factors.
“Because our boys and girls are going to grow up better prepared, better educated adults, Guyana as a whole will benefit and when Guyana benefits then every single person is going to be on the receiving end of those benefits,” Manickchand assured.

Source: https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2014/03/29/2014-budget-education-allocation-will-put-guyana-in-a-better-place/

The Region Two (Pomeroon/ Supenaam) yesterday held its Bi-Annual Math, Science and Technology Fair at the Anna Regina Secondary School.

Regional Education Officer of Region Two Baramdai Seepersaud said that the Math,

“This year, the Regional Science Fair will allow our learners to demonstrate their expertise in the areas of Pure Science, Information Technology and other technical and pre-vocational areas including Agricultural Science and Home Economics,” she said. “The scope of participation has been broad-based with participants from nursery through secondary.”Technology and Science fair is an important event and the focus is to give learners the opportunity to use their knowledge, skills and expertise under the guidance of teachers to come up with new and innovative ways to solve crucial and pressing problems in their environment.

She then announced that the National Science, Mathematics and Technology Fair, billed for April 22 – 25, will be held in Essequibo. National Science Coordinator and guest speaker at the event Petal Jettoo said that science must be taught with its history and the Ministry of Education’s aim is to serve everyone in that capacity.

“Climate change has destroyed special species without us knowing and as such, science and technology are important for students…,” she noted. “Local community problems are demonstrated and as such, I urge everyone to view the exhibits and look for ways in which you can implement the projects as you walk through the classrooms. With the ideas of these young minds, let us strive to grow and build a greener society.”

The Bi-Annual Math, Science and Technology Fair, 2014, held under the theme ‘Science, Mathe-matics and Technology: Providing Solutions for the 21st Century,’ was declared open by Coordinator of the fair Deodat Singh.

The best projects from all of the 11 educational districts will represent Guyana at the Sagicor Visionaries Challenge.

The challenge encourages secondary school students around the Caribbean to identify an issue facing their school and use Science Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) to come up with a sustainable solution. The winning school in each country is invited to the final competition in Barbados and the winners to a seven-day STEM ambassador programme in Florida, USA.

Source: https://www.stabroeknews.com/2014/news/guyana/03/15/essequibo-students-exhibit-projects-science-fair/

Any input from Government as it relates to a move towards a hike in tuition fees at the University of Guyana will have to be guided by the institution’s Council. At least this is according to Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, even as she sought to respond to questions as to whether a potential hike in the fees has been up for discussion at the level of Cabinet.

According to the Minister, while she has some knowledge that the University had announced moves to discuss the matter among various stakeholders, the decision on such a major move would be one that the Council has to pronounce on ultimately. And the Council’s decision, she noted, will be supported by Government.
In fact Manickchand pointed out that since the University’s operation is governed by a Council, even the Ministry of Education does not have a supervisory input. “We release funds, that is the extent of our contribution there…we give the funds…” she told media operatives at a Cara Lodge, Quamina Street, Georgetown, venued press conference on Monday.

Nevertheless, Manickchand, whose port folio sees her being tasked with overseeing general education matters in the country, disclosed that she has observed that there has been a notable change in the management of the University. This change she attributed to the new Council which was installed during the last quarter of last year. “I am satisfied that there has been a significant change in this new Council in the way they are trying to be more accountable. At the end of the day what UG earns from students’ fees and whatever else they earn from is not enough to run the University, and as a country we are going to have to decide how we go forward,” she asserted on Monday.

Added to the evident accountability promoted by the new Council, the Minister pointed to the stewardship of Vice Chancellor Professor Jacob Opadeyi, whom, she said has ensured that there is more frequent and prompt answers to financial questions.
Professor Opadeyi was appointed to the position of Vice Chancellor early last year and soon after called for a Special Audit of the institution’s Bursary. The audit, which was voluntarily conducted by financial experts of the University of the West Indies, was able to uncover startling financial discrepancies. The disturbing findings resulted in the termination of two senior Bursary officials – the Bursar and the Chief Accountant.
Moves have since been made to improve the operation of the Bursary with a view of ensuring that there is financial accountability to encourage Government’s support to the institution.

According to Minister Manickchand, under Professor Opadeyi “we have seen more frequent and prompt answers to financial questions.  The answers are not (always) what we would want but they are frequent and prompt answers to financial questions and they seem to know better what’s going on with their finances than they did before.”
“Are we happy with all the answers they give? No we are not! But like I said UG is run by a Council that is dictated by law and that is the extent to our involvement,” said the Minister.

She however outlined that the Education Ministry has continued collaboration with the tertiary institution to determine “what our teachers will learn, what students need to know…to see if our curriculum is matching what students need to know at entry level to the University but that is very different from the administrative running.”

Source: https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2014/01/05/govts-input-at-ug-will-be-guided-by-its-council-manickchand/

Eleven papers in seven subjects would be electronically marked from the May/June 2014 sitting of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, according to the latest update on the introduction of electronic-marking (e-marking) by the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC).

This was revealed in the communiqué issued at the conclusion of the 45th meeting of CXC and a meeting of the Schools Examinations Committee (SEC) last week in Guy-ana, which also saw reporting by CXC Registrar Dr Didacus Jules on the Council’s transformation agenda, including the development of its 2014 to 2020 Strategic Plan and new syllabuses for the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).

According to the communiqué, the SEC meeting, held last Thursday, was updated on the process involved in e-marking as part of CXC becoming an IT-Intelligent organization with plans that also include sharing educational content via cellphones. After next year’s introduction, it noted, 22 papers are to be e-marked from the January 2015 CSEC examinations sitting, and 24 papers from the May/June 2016 sitting.

The SEC, it was explained, was advised that teachers would be trained to engage in e-marking. In addition, the communiqué said the SEC noted the quality of the e-marking would be monitored using the same process as table marking, which involved Chief Examiners, Table Leaders and Examiners.

It was further noted that a cost benefit evaluation on the e-marking initiative was conducted to examine the payback period and the net present value. “In each case, over the next 2-3 years, the Council would recover funds invested and possibly realize savings in those particular cases,” the communiqué said.

Addressing CXC’s strategic plan, Dr Jules was reported as saying that the Council will concentrate on three strategic objectives: strengthening the CXC business model, securing financial stability and delivering an enhanced stakeholder experience.

The CXC strategy will endeavour to enable every Caribbean person, including out of school candidates, the opportunity to be certified, having the knowledge, skills and competence, Dr Jules added.

“The new strategic plan has been built on some of the significant things that the registrar has managed,” CXC Chairman Dr. Nigel Harris also told a news conference last Friday after the conclusion of the Council’s meeting.

He said the meeting involved interesting and innovative plans for change and considerable interaction by the delegates, who provided inputs to ensure that the changes would positively impact all of Caribbean education.

“This meeting, as the last few, has been very important for us because it includes what has been the process in which we are involved—which is being led by the registrar for CXC, ably assisted by the Pro-Registrar Glenroy Cumberbatch and team—…an effort to not only transform the whole CXC system… but indeed to work to have an impact in all of education, from primary through secondary, even impacting on tertiary education…,” he added.

Meanwhile, the communiqué also noted that the Council approved the budget for 2014, which provides for projected revenue of 50.5 million Barbados dollars and total expenditure of 50.3 million Barbados dollars. “The budget provides for key areas such as syllabus development and maintenance, examinations preparation and administration, business development, technology renewal, human resource management, research and development and marketing and stakeholder relationship management,” according to the communiqué.

According to the communiqué, the meeting of SEC noted that the syllabuses for CAPE Agricul-tural Science, Performing Arts, Tourism, and Entrepreneurship were completed and approved by the Sub-committee (SUBSEC) for teaching starting in September 2014 and first examination in May/June 2015. The Digital Media syllabus was completed and approved for teaching in September 2013 and first paperless examination in May/June 2014.

Digital Media is intended for students who are good at English. They will be able to post information on blogs and will be accessed for free through the region’s e-learning website, caribbean.notesmaster.com. Educational content on cellphones is also set to be promoted by the Council and the Caribbean Notesmaster website.

SEC was informed that SUBSEC approved the development of a syllabus for Animation and Game Design for CAPE, while the syllabus for CAPE Physical Education and Sport was under review and would be submitted for the approval of SUBSEC at its next meeting.

It was further noted that two changes were effected to the administration of the Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Compe-tence (CCSLC) during 2013: the award of individual subject certificate as well as grouped subjects certificate, and offering the programme to out-of-school candidates. The out-of-school candidates would register in education institutions approved as CXC examination centres, which would follow the same procedures and processes as schools, according to the communiqué.

Source: https://www.stabroeknews.com/2013/news/guyana/12/11/cxc-begin-e-marking-mayjune-2014-exams/

THE Ministry of Education announced yesterday that Guyana has once again performed remarkably well at the recent Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) written during May/June 2014. 

Candidates have excelled in 16 subject areas at CSEC, while at CAPE they outperformed the region in 9 units.
Among the schools that excelled are Tagore High School, Berbice; Hope Secondary School, Hope, East Coast Demerara; Essequibo Islands Secondary School; North West Secondary School,Mabaruma, Region 1; Zeeburg Secondary School, Region 3; Bishops’ High; President’s College; Mackenzie High, Linden; Annandale Secondary,Region 4; Queen’s College; and St. Roses High.

The Education Ministry said in a statement that it “is pleased to announce that Guyanese students have performed remarkably well and have been placed among the top 10 best performing candidates in the Region in a number of subject areas.
Candidates have excelled in 16 subject areas at CSEC while at CAPE candidates outperformed the Region in 9 Units.”
In October of 2014 the Education Ministry announced with pride that Guyana had once again done extraordinarily at the CSEC examinations, gaining four Regional Awards for Outstanding Performance in the May/June 2014 examinations.

In recognition of their achievements, CXC will present these students with awards at a ceremony to be held at the University of the West Indies Regional Headquarters, Mona Campus, Jamaica on Thursday, 4th December, 2014.
During a press briefing to announce Guyana’s performance at CSEC 2014, Education Minister Priya Manickchand noted that 38.7% of the students who wrote CSEC Mathematics gained Grade One to Three passes, and the ministry also recorded another tremendous achievement was the improvement of a 9.72% increase in Mathematics, making this year the best performing year since 1990.

Though the figure remains under the 50% mark, it also represents a better performance compared to results recorded since 1990. She emphasised that “this is the best performing year in Mathematics ever recorded.” Last year, just 28.92% of the students who wrote CSEC Mathematics gained Grade One to Three passes.
The Ministry of Education has extended best wishes to the candidates on their spectacular achievements, and hopes that their resolve, hard work and abilities continue to propel them to greater heights.

Source: https://guyanachronicle.com/2014/11/14/guyanese-excel-in-16-subject-areas-at-csec-out-perform-region-in-9-units-at-cape