Education is the key to development -- Minister Nagamootoo tells Zeeburg students
INFORMATION Minister Mr Moses Nagamootoo has emphasised that education is the key to development, and once there is a will to succeed nothing is beyond accomplishment. Minister Nagamootoo was giving the feature address last Thursday at the 32nd Speech Day and Prize-giving ceremony of Zeeburg Secondary School, West Coast Demerara. According to a Guyana Information release, Minister Nagamootoo commended the 106 graduating students on their success and told them that their accomplishment is a testimony to their determination. For, he said, despite coming from a humble environment, their achievements match those of their counterparts from the urban areas. He advised students not to think of themselves as being at a disadvantage because of living in the countryside, and he pointed out that success comes with hard work and good leadership, regardless of where a person is from. The Minister emphasised that education is the key to development and underlined the need for science and technology to play a greater part in the teaching and learning process. Nagamootoo explained that Government, recognising the importance of education, has placed tremendous emphasis on the education sector. More than 400 schools have been constructed or repaired, and some 1,800 teachers have graduated yearly, the Minister narrated. According to the statement, Nagamootoo told students that what they are enjoying now is due to the sacrifice of their parents and past generations. "After graduation, life is not finished. It is only the stepping stone to greater achievements. The education process must be a complete one. It must mould an individual who is honest, patriotic and has a keen sense of perception," Minister Nagamootoo added. Headmaster of the school, Mr Narinedatt Rudradat in his report disclosed that in 1999 students enrolled for 18 CXC subjects and 100 per cent passes were obtained in ten of those subjects. Rudradat disclosed that the ten subjects are History, Literature, Food and Nutrition, Integrated Science, Metals, Office Practice, Social Studies, Spanish, Technical Drawing and Agriculture Science. He pointed out that English Language enjoyed an unprecedented 79 per cent as compared to the national average of 57.1 per cent. The headmaster added that his school attained 81.2 percentage passes, while Georgetown schools received 77.7 and Region Three achieved 76.7 per cent. Rudradat said despite the emphasis on academic subjects, other areas are not neglected and that the school strives to mould a well-rounded personality. He noted that one of the students, Loris Abrams captained the Guyana under 15 football team in the Caribbean championships, and the school was also crowned winners in the Mashramani Regional Calypso and Dance competitions.
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