ExxonMobil Guyana is supporting several programs that will help students keep up with their studies while schools across Guyana remain closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The company said Tuesday it has contributed GY$15 M to support continuing education programmes offered through separate partnerships with the Rotary Club of Stabroek and the National Centre for Education Resource Development (NCERD) that are geared at ensuring students are able to effectively prepare for upcoming national examinations.
The contribution enables the Rotary Club of Stabroek to team up with local technology services company BrainStreet to provide free online tutorials for students in Grades 4, 5 and 6 through its BrainCentral (www.braincentral.online) online portal.
President of the Rotary Club of Stabroek, Colin Thompson underlined the importance of developing sound online learning platforms given the evolving landscape of education delivery. “These platforms should not mimic the face to face classroom experience but instead must address all the nuances of access, convenience, distance, and engagement,” he said.
Since internet access remains a challenge for some Guyanese, ExxonMobil is also supporting NCERD’s efforts to update and expand its Broadcast to Schools programme on Radio and other programmes on the Guyana Learning Channel.
NCERD Director Jennifer Cumberbatch has acknowledged the disruption that COVID-19 has had on education, particularly those students who are preparing for the National Grade Six Assessment, CSEC and CAPE.
“The National Centre for Educational Resource Development has focused on providing new and improved ways to connect our nation’s children with their teachers. At the same time, we have seen as critical the need to strengthen existing lines of communication to ensure some measure of continuity in the delivery of education,” she added.
Meanwhile, ExxonMobil Guyana’s Senior Director for Public and Government Affairs Deedra Moe said these complimentary programmes will provide greater access to important educational tools for many children across Guyana. She said support for initiatives like these are part of ExxonMobil Guyana’s commitment to contribute to the country’s social and economic progress.
The company said its engineers will lend a hand to engage the young minds. The “STEM at Home” initiative, which will be found on ExxonMobil Guyana’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/exxonmobilguyana) will feature simple and safe experiments that children can do at home using simple and inexpensive products found around the house.
“Investments in education are investments in Guyana’s future,” Moe said. “Families have been especially affected during these challenging times. ExxonMobil Guyana is happy to support projects that help meaningfully engage students while continuing to advance their education.”
