Georgetown: The first draft of the Education Sector Plan 2019 – 2023- Vision 2030 was presented to the Ministry of Education’s (MoE) development partners for their perusal and feedback.
The development partners that were in attendance included representatives from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the World Bank, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) among other international agencies that were present.
The consultation was held at the Roraima Duke Lodge in Kingston Georgetown and is intended to inform the basis upon which the final document is completed.
During the engagement, Minister of Education Dr. the Hon. Nicolette Henry proffering remarks noted that the new Education Sector Plan is mandated to address systems that will ensure the Education Sector successfully addresses all weaknesses, improve standard operating procedures and equate the system to the advancement and changes occurring across the globe.
Further, Dr Henry posited that providing opportunities for quality, equitable education and lifelong learning for all is the 2030 vision for the sector.
“The actualization of this vision is strongly dependent on the sector’s ability to fulfil the ultimate goal for the 2030 vision, which is to contribute to employability and reduction of poverty”.
According to the Education Minister, by increasing performance at all levels and reducing the disparity between persons living coastland and hinterland communities is paramount to the achievement of this objective.
Additionally, the Education Minister assured that the MoE will seriously consider all comments and suggestions and promised that there will be modifications on the basis of the comments and suggestions provided at the consultation exercise.
In his remarks, Chief Education Officer Dr Marcel Hutson reminded the gathering that the MoE is cognisant of the importance of creating and executing the strategic plan.
Further, Rev. Hutson believes that a good strategic plan can improve student outcomes, keep great teachers and enhance the reputation of schools in Guyana.
The CEO added that the MoE has gained valuable experiences from previous planning exercises and this was instrumental in raising the consciousness of the necessity to be engaged in a discipline and thoughtful process that links values, mission, and goals of the education system.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Resident Representative to Guyana and Surinam Ms Sylvia Fouet in her remarks said that the first draft of the plan comes at a critical juncture in Guyana’s history. She said that with the emerging oil and gas sector there will be opportunities and it is important that the citizens are positioned to maximize these and education is central to this.
The consultations for the 2019-2023 Education Strategic plan began last year April and input was sought from civil society, the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), the Regional Democratic Councils (RDC’s) and persons from all the eleven educational districts across Guyana that form part of the education delivery process. Consultations will continue until the final draft is agreed and is expected to be presented by the first week in August 2019.
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