Minister of Education, Hon. Sonia Parag, today engaged parents, teachers and guardians of learners attending several schools across the West Coast of Berbice during a meeting held at Lachmansingh Primary School.
The engagement forms part of a wider national initiative spearheaded by the Education Minister to strengthen the partnership between homes and schools, encourage greater parental involvement and improve the overall delivery of education across the country.
In her address, Minister Parag underscored the critical role of a strong and active Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), not only in supporting students’ academic development but also in tackling pressing social issues affecting schools, including violence, bullying and vaping.
“We are all part of this education ecosystem, so if we don’t engage and work together, it is our children who will be affected and we absolutely cannot have that,” Minister Parag warned.
She reminded the gathering that since the launch of the anti-bullying and anti-violence campaign last year, the ministry has held public consultations across all regions, receiving more than 1,000 recommendations.
These suggestions are currently being reviewed by a multi-ministry task force with the intention of developing standard operating procedures to manage incidents of physical aggression, verbal abuse, peer exclusion, substance use and online harassment within the school environment.
To further strengthen these safeguards, the Ministry of Education is engaging the Ministry of Legal Affairs and the Attorney General’s Chambers on the possibility of introducing legislation to address these issues within schools.
Additionally, the ministry has introduced Moral and Civic Education as standalone subjects in schools, aimed at instilling fundamental values such as kindness, courage, respect and good manners among learners, while fostering a greater sense of personal responsibility and positive behaviour.
Minister Parag noted that a child’s behavioural patterns start within the walls of the home, making parental responsibility vital. Reflecting on her own role as a parent, she challenged the audience to look closely at their daily interactions.
“How many of us engage with our children without being distracted by a phone? Look around you and see the hands that are raised.
Now, does it mean that you’re a bad mother or a bad father? No, it doesn’t… But the point is this, while you’re doing that, you’re responsible for another life,” Minister Parag shared.
She also stated firmly that rules and authority must be respected, making it clear that the Ministry of Education will stand firmly behind its educators.
“If any child hits a teacher or attempts to hit a teacher, that child will be expelled. Because there is a reason why you have rules and regulations.
There is a reason why there’s authority, and something called authority,” Minister Parag stated categorically.
During the discussions, parents expressed appreciation to Minister Parag for her efforts to strengthen the partnership between parents and teachers.
There was strong consensus among attendees on the need for firmer disciplinary measures to address misconduct among learners.
Parents also called on their fellow guardians to take greater responsibility for the upbringing of their children, emphasising that instilling discipline, respect and good values must begin at home.
The Education Minister also highlighted several practical resources the government has put in place to ease the financial burden on homes and keep them connected to student learning.
These include the national cash grant distributions, primary literacy assessments in Grades Two and Four to catch learning gaps early and the Guyana Digital School platform.
The platform now offers both live and recorded lessons across 20 grades, providing learners with additional academic support at no cost and reducing the need for parents to pay for private lessons.
Furthermore, Minister Parag announced that the Ministry of Education will officially launch the digitalisation of the national driver’s licence theory examination this week, with the test being integrated into the Digital School platform.
Beginning Friday, members of the public will be able to access the platform, make payments via MMG and sit the examination electronically.
The initiative is aimed at modernising the examination process while ensuring greater transparency, accountability and accessibility.
Minister Parag was accompanied by her technical team, which included Chief Education Officer, Mr Saddam Hussain; Deputy Chief Education Officer (Administration), Ms Tiffany Harvey; Assistant Chief Education Officer (Secondary), Mr Sherwyn Blackman; Assistant Chief Education Officer (Nursery), Mr Devendra Persaud; Assistant Chief Education Officer (Primary Literacy), Ms Stembiso Grant; Assistant Chief Education Officer (Special Education Needs), Dr Keon Cheong; Head of the Unit of Allied Arts, Mr Nicholas Fraser and Head of the Ministry’s School Health Unit, Ms Jessica Anthony.
