GOVERNMENT’s literacy drive is gaining momentum and another step will be taken to further raise the level of literacy with the setting up of literacy centres at technical vocational institutions in Guyana.

Minster of Education, Shaik Baksh, during his address to graduands of the Upper Corentyne Industrial Training Centre and their parents last Thursday, informed them of the government’s $115M literacy programme to reverse the level of illiteracy in Guyana over the next few years. Over 9,000 students in schools and 4,500 young adults will benefit from this programme.

There is also a special literacy programme for Grade Six students after they would have completed the National Grade Six Assessment.

Baksh urged the 122 graduands from the 2006/07 academic year, to continue their studies as the skills acquired by them during the period of training have made them assets to themselves, their family and the country.

The minister urged parents to ensure that their children complete their education, noting that too many children drop out of schools because they lack basic literacy and numeracy skills and when they enroll in technical institutions they are unable to cope with the work.

He also called for more females to get involved in technical and vocational education.

Technical and vocational education has been introduced within the school system and the Ministry is currently strengthening Practical Instruction Centres and other technical vocational institutions to offer more programmes.

Government has recognised the importance of technical education to the development of the nation and as a result has made this investment of $134M to construct the Corentyne institution while another two similar institutions are planned for construction one in Bath Settlement, Region Five and the other in Region Three.

The centre was completed in August 2004 and is equipped with practical instructional facilities to teach eight technical vocational skills including welding/fabrication, carpentry, agriculture mechanic and fitting and machining.

The graduands put up an exhibition of their work which included samples of gates, fences chandeliers and circuits boards.