| Intervening measures at four target primary schools, may have allowed for noticeable improvement of pupils’ science performances.At least this is the deduction of officials of the Youth Challenge Guyana (YCG) Non-Governmental Organisation, which during a recent interview with this publication concluded that “the intervention was a major contributory factor.”The intervention, which was funded by Exxon Mobil, an American multi-national oil and gas corporation headquartered in Irving, Texas, United States, was characterised by an Inquiry-based Science Education (IBSE) project at the target schools, which came to an official end last month.YCG’s Dmitri Nicholson (left) and Germaine WatsonThe project was conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Education through its National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD).According to YCG’s Education Programme Manager, Germaine Watson, some 400 pupils and 20 teachers, from the Skeldon and All Saints Primaries in Region Six and the Peter’s Hall and Beterverwagting/Triumph Primaries in Region Four, were reached through the project. They all benefited from training aimed at improving their understanding of Science.The project saw YCG providing kits to enable training in the use of Inquiry-Based Science, with a view to enhancing the skills of teachers as well as to increase access to instructional materials by students at the Grades Five and Six levels.Facilitated by the Education Ministry’s National Science Coordinator, Ms Petal Punalall-Jettoo,NFL Jerseys Cheap, the IBSE Project was intended to use laboratory and household equipment to better teach and understand Science by doing practical activities.“We supported NCERD to make these things happen…so this means that we find ways that we can use the skills that exist within the network of YCG to give a knowledge-base to what NCERD is doing. Moreover, what we do is find the people and resources to aid what NCERD does,” said Watson.And although there are a number of factors that can determine the performances of pupils, Watson is convinced that “the results show that we can expect students to be performing better in Science in the schools that participated.” He noted that despite the possibility that the improved performances may be considered a small accomplishment,cheap nfl jerseys china, it was realised within a relatively short period. The project was implemented during the second term of the school year,Jerseys NFL Cheap, and according to Watson “in the very second and third terms we saw an increase in results in terms of the number of passes of pupils in Science.”According to YCG’s Executive Director, Dmitri Nicholson, the non-governmental organisation has been collaborating extensively with the Education Ministry, and doing so in the area of Science comes even as moves are being made to bolster interest in Science,Cheap Soccer Jerseys, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).And it is the expectation of Nicholson that the trained teachers will be able to use their skills to create among themselves a network where they can discuss with each other, ways to improve their methods of teaching.“We think that the long term effect would become greater, because they will not need an outside intervention to improve the science grades,” said Nicholson.But according to Watson, although the science project has come to an end, YCG will still be looking to offer its assistance to the schools in terms of follow-up training. This is essential, he said, since “Science is changing all the time and there are techniques that we can research and implement…”He noted that although the Science Curriculum is standard,NFL Jerseys From China, the method of teaching can vary at individual schools. And since there is a manual that goes along with the Science curriculum,Cheap Jerseys, Watson said that any changes in the curriculum will have to be reflected in the manual, an undertaking that YCG is capable and willing to engage.The YCG officials are also hoping to take the inquiry-based programme to other schools, and are therefore anticipating further financial support from Exxon Mobil. However, the NGO officials are optimistic that similar support could be realised from local private sector companies that would be willing to support a worthy initiative. |
