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Monday, September 15, 2003

Georgetown, GINA, September 15, 2003

The Ministry of Home Affairs has expressed concern over the poor quality of helmets being used by cyclists.
Officials have recognised that cyclists are not wearing the helmets required for certain cycles.
In some instances, motorcyclists use the helmets recommended for bicycles.
Riders who do this place themselves in danger and at the same time break the law. In an accident the helmet reduces the risk of head injuries.
And so the Ministry of Home Affairs is appealing to persons to desist from using inferior helmets.
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Georgetown, GINA, September 15, 2003

Residents of Kwakwani, Region Ten (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice), interacted with Prime Minister Samuel Hinds during his one-day visit to the community last Friday.
Residents were pleased to have the Prime Minister in their community and took the opportunity to share their views about future community development matters. They also signaled their willingness to pursue alternative ventures.
The residents who receive subsidized electricity and water supplies, noted that their general concern was an alternative economic activity to bauxite.
Prime Minister Hinds recommended that residents seek to utilize the land for subsistence and cash crop farming, among other activities.
The Prime Minister’s visit was part of a three-day outreach to Region Ten.
One of his stops was at the newly constructed Kwakwani Primary School where students of primary four and their teacher were actively engaged in an after lesson exercise.
Mr. Hinds advised the students to take the opportunity afforded them to learn in a more comfortable environment and reminded them that their generation is fortunate to have better schooling facilities.
He encouraged the students to believe in themselves and ensure they recognize the value of a proper education in today’s’ world.
On his way through the community, stops were made at the Police Station, the Hospital and the Kwakwani Secondary School which is under construction.
In an effort to ensure economic viability through the country’s bauxite operations, Government merged the Kwakwani and Aroaima Bauxite Company (ABC) operations in August 2002.
Since the merger, the Prime Minister has made several visits to the region for feed back from former mine workers with regard to their alternative economic prospects.
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After several attempts, the Central Mackenzie Policing Group was launched yesterday at Linden (Upper Demerara/Berbice).
Minister of Home Affairs Ronald Gajraj delivered the feature address and expressed his satisfaction with the group coming together for a good cause.
“I am happy to see a number of individuals with the idea of establishing a group that can be of service to the community to improve the lives of the people,” the Minister said.
He emphasized that training is the most important factor for the success of any Policing Community group and he encouraged members of the group to familiarize themselves with the Police Act.
The group will be exposed to intense training sessions, covering the proper use of firearms, the writing of statements, giving evidence, and other topics.
Commander of E Division for Linden and the Interior, Malvin Glasgow advised the group that honesty, loyalty and togetherness are very important.
He noted that inadequate personnel makes it difficult for the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to do a good job on its own, and observed that a partnership would be quite useful.
“This clearly indicates a step in the right direction, a partnership with the GPF in its fight against crime,” said Commander Glasgow.
Mayor of the Mining Town Stanley Smith is very impressed with the formation of the Policing group and pointed out that their role is to complement the GPF.
The families of the CPG were also praised for their patience and support and according to Minister Gajraj, they “must recognise what they are doing is beyond selfishness and for the development of the community.”
Minister Gajraj pointed out that mutual respect, mutual support and civility are the three main ingredients of the CPG.
He noted that Government’s policy is to make duty free concessions for firearms, vehicles and communication equipment to the various policing groups.
Minister Gajraj added that the group’s principle objective is the prevention of crimes, and so it must aim at minimising crime in its area.
Residents were allowed to share their views and recommendations with members of the Policing group.
Confidentiality, accountability, ensuring the high level of standards and morality were among the recommendations.
Minister Gajraj added that zeal and enthusiasm must also have a place in a crime-free community.
He promised the group several firearms, a computer and a vehicle, until such time as it acquires its own.
Members of the Community Policing Group are Chairman Ivory Leacock, Vice Chairman Deo Lakeram, Secretary Garfield Hunte, Assistant Secretary Joseph Marshall, Treasurer Shiloh Mustafa and Public Relations Officer Orin Wilson.
Approximately 400 Community Policing Groups are now functioning throughout the country.
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Georgetown, GINA, September 15, 2003

Life as a foreign student is not always easy, and adapting to new conditions is a prerequisite to a successful stay.
This message was to recipients of Cuban scholarships for the academic year 2003/2004 by President Bharrat Jagdeo. The Head of State was at the time delivering a charge to 94 students at their orientation ceremony at the Umana Yana, Kingston, Georgetown.
The President cautioned the students that life in a foreign land comes with many changes and often necessitates sacrifice and adaptation.
“It is never easy as students. You don’t have enough money. The food is different. You live under conditions unlike those at home. But that is student life. When you go there do not think you are going to paradise and to have a party. You are going there to study,” he advised the students.
During a visit in 2001 to the Spanish-speaking Caribbean state, President Bharrat Jagdeo secured 350 scholarships from the Cuban President Dr. Fidel Castro under the Guyana/Cuba Joint Commission. The scholarships will be awarded to Guyanese students, including Amerindians, over a period of three years.
The 350 students will pursue degrees in Medicine, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Culture, Sport, Agriculture, Architecture and other areas of study under the joint auspices of the Guyana and Cuban Governments.
The People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) sponsored five students. Three were sponsored by the People's National Congress/Reform and one by the City Council.
The Cuban Scholarship Programme is managed by the Public Service Ministry in collaboration with the Office of the President. In accordance with procedures, the Ministry advertised nationally for applications for the academic year 2002/2003. Ninety-four students were selected.
The President warned the students to make full use of the scholarships as the investment and the efforts they entail are significant.
“It is a country that has faced many difficulties over the years and though its people have made some tremendous advances, they had many difficulties too. And you may experience some of these difficulties. The culture is different. You have to respect and understand that they are making these scholarships available to you at a tremendous cost to their Government, although they face many hardships. I hope that you are constantly cognizant of that,” he said.
Speaking from his experiences as a student who studied abroad, the President cautioned the Cuba-bound students to make the best of their opportunity, adding that their main focus is studying and that they should not forget that.
President Jagdeo strongly urged the students to be good ambassadors and to portray at all times a good image of Guyana.
The Head of State noted that it’s not Government’s intention to “mitigate anyone,” but the administration will take all necessary actions against indisciplined students.
He urged the students to fully comply with the Cuban laws and to respect their customs and culture, as this magnanimous gesture their host country has made is indeed commendable and the Government of Guyana is extremely grateful to the Cuban Government. The economic difficulties that plague Cuba are many and that is what makes the gesture even more generous, President Jagdeo noted.
Under the scholarship programme 131 students left last year. Government provides the students with a stipend of CAN $50 per month. The current batch of students uplifted their stipend for the next six months today.
The awardees of the scholarships are elated at having the opportunity to pursue their degrees in various fields.
Many of the recipients of the scholarships praised both Governments for helping to make their dreams come through. Many of them said they would not have been able to afford an education of this nature without a scholarship.
Several parents also voiced their appreciation for the opportunity given to their children to qualify themselves for professional careers.
The students on their return will be expected to serve Guyana for five years.
President Jagdeo charged the students to make service to their homeland a priority, as Government is looking forward to this.

The overall performances at the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) Examinations were good and substantial increases were recorded in English A and Mathematics.
The performances in other subjects such as Physics, Agriculture, Electronics, Mechanics and Music continued to show good results.
The numbers passing English A have increased from 1856 in 1995 to 2898 this year. As regards Mathematics, passes were 1284 in 1995 and this year 1856, although there was a greater increase over the period in persons passing with grade three in this subject.
This year showed the best performance ever, in Mathematics, with our lowest in 1997. The closest we have ever been to the 2003 scores was in 2000 when we recorded 40% passes.
Over 80% passes were achieved in Biology, over 90% in Chemistry, Information Technology just below 80% and approximately 90% for Physics.
All Human Management subjects registered over 90% passes and over 90% in Industrial Arts except for technical Drawing.
The numbers writing Chemistry have increased over the past two years from 592 in 2001 to 657 this year.
In English A, the numbers have increased significantly. It moved from 4999 in 1995 to 7749 this year and 5561 in 2001.
There was a 2.9% difference in the 2002 and 2003 English A scores with a 2275 increase in the numbers taking the examination.
There is a steady increase in the results in English A from around 1998 to 2003. Passes moved from 11.64% to 37.4% this year.
Such significant increases were also evident in the numbers taking Mathematics in 1995 when 4137 took the examination, compared to 7450 this year.
Note however, that the pass mark is calculated up to grade Two from 1995 to 1997 and from Grade One to Three from 1998 to 2003.
The 1.7% difference in passes between last year and this year must also be examined against the approximately 25000 more persons that wrote the exams this year. This would also account for the increase in passes at all grades against the 2002 scores.
The 7749 students who took English A, and the 7749 who took Mathematics were the largest numbers writing any of the subjects. There were also relative increases in the number taking Biology, Chemistry and Principles of Accounts.
In 1997, five persons wrote Information Technology while this year 680 wrote the examination with over half securing passes.
Compared to the number writing Principles of Accounts in 1995 (1811) with a 31.42% pass rate, the numbers have increased to 2633 this year with a 61.8% pass rate.
The percentage passes last year was just below the pass rate this year (61.8%) compared to 61.2% last year, but over 1000 more persons wrote the examination this year.
This year recorded the largest number ever taking the examination. The same goes for French and Information Technology. The number of persons taking Spanish has also increased.
Since 1998, the number taking Craft and Art and Craft has decreased. Since 2000, persons stopped taking Shorthand, and we began taking Music in 2000 although the numbers are not large.
Although the local results are challenged by a number of persons, it is fitting that we examine our own results against earlier performances. With this as the basis for this analysis, the 2003 results show improvements in percentage passed and numbers taking the CXC examinations.
In the majority of subjects there is a marked increase in the numbers taking these exams especially over the last three years.
We continue to attain poor results in Mechanical Engineering Technology despite the number taking the examination have grown from 1995 to 2003.
Small numbers continue to register for Art, Clothing and Textiles, French, Music, Typewriting, Woods, Building Technology and Mechanical Engineering. However, more students are taking Integrated Science (Single Award), Mathematics, Office Procedure, Principles of Accounts, Social Studies and English A. The largest number however, took social Studies.
The Ministry plans on making the relevant input to ensure that those subjects critical to national development are adequately addressed.
The records show also that large numbers of students continue to pass the CXC examinations, and this number has increased from 1995 to 2003.
This increase augurs well for the Education Sector, especially since budgetary allocations in Education continue to increase and is presently at its highest. Besides that, the Ministry with the help of a number of agencies is now able to significantly boost the Sector.
Some of these are the Basic Education Access Management Systems (BEAMS), the Secondary School Reform Project (SSRP), the Primary Education Improvement Programme (PEIP) and the Social Impact Amelioration Programme (SIMAP).
The Ministry regards the success of the Sector at the 2003 CXC examinations to revised curriculum and curriculum materials, more text books, upgrading of school laboratories, teachers' training and better school management.
Other significant assistance came from parent/community support for schools, qualified VSO teaching assistance and regional evaluation of the pre-CXC examinations.
Efforts will be taken to ensure that In-service Centres will be expanded to include secondary components and continuous monitoring and support for Regions with low results.
Suffice it to say, strident efforts have been made to also adequately equip the teaching component in Interior locations.
Although the numbers of qualified teachers are small in those areas, they have been supported by VSOs and training so that students have better access to quality education.
From the year 1997 to 2002, more than 1750 teachers were trained, while approximately 500 received pre-service and in-service training.
A strategic Plan (2002 – 2006) and a 17- point plan were also outlined to upgrade all levels of education and education delivery countrywide.
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Georgetown, GINA, September 15, 2003

As part of an ongoing Ministerial outreach programme countrywide, the Minister of Housing and Water Mr. Shaik Baksh visited several areas on the East Coast of Demerara.
The Minister and a team of officials from the Ministry of Housing and Water visited Bare Root, where they met residents and discussed matters pertaining to the regularization process. Residents in the area expressed their happiness, since they were told that the Ministry is working to provide them with land titles. They also pledged their continued support to the Ministry to ensure that the development process is continued.
The Minister stated that he was impressed to see the number of houses in the area, while noting that the Ministry is moving at an aggressive pace to have the areas regularized so that residents can have titles to their land.
Some residents in the area were given leases for farmlands and the Minister assured that they would be given titles shortly. He urged residents to ensure that they come forward and pay their conveyance fee, which has been reduced from $12,000 to $8,000. Residents can pay a 50 percent down payment and are given three months to pay the remaining $4,000.
This has been done to lessen the burden on residents who are now building their houses. With the titles residents can gain access to loans from different banks to further develop their houses and plots.
Minister Baksh pointed out that the Ministry aims to distribute 8,000 land titles this year which would be the highest number recorded in history. Last year the Ministry distributed 7,000.
The Bare Root area is developing at a rapid pace and several developmental projects will be effected in the near future. According to residents the Regional Democratic Council will construct a road on the Eastern side while the middle dam and connecting streets will be completed by the Social Impact Amelioration Programme (SIMAP).
Minister Baksh told residents that he has already made representation to the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) for the construction of the water network in the area. The Ministry is awaiting approval after which the design will be completed. The connection fee for water supply has also been reduced from $10,000 to $1,000.
Additionally, the Minister visited Pigeon Island where he discussed the regularization process with residents. Some residents living on the reserve were told that they would have to move their houses, since the condition is unsanitary. Others were told that they can stay there and the Ministry will move to regularize the area. The Ministry has promised to find alternative house lots for the residents.
Officials from the Ministry are expected to visit the area during next week to meet residents and work out proper arrangements. Residents will be asked to provide relevant information so that their applications can be processed. The Minister urged the residents to cooperate with the officials so that the process can progress.
Meanwhile, the Minister also visited Good Hope and Vryheid’s Lust where he discussed similar issues with residents.
In Good Hope, the connecting streets are being constructed under a $200M IDB programme. Work is progressing and the duration of the contract is one year which will be completed in August 2004. The programme caters for the construction of 30 roads in specific areas, out of which 22 have been completed. The consultancy work in the area is being provided by Vikab Engineering Consultants.
Residents in Good Hope are not receiving water presently but the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) is working to ensure that they receive a proper supply. In the meantime, a tractor is distributing water in the area.
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