“We always perform, and we must ensure that we continue,” Acting REdO

Region Ten acting Regional Education Officer (REdO), La Shanna Anderson has some firm
words for teachers in Guyana, however more in particular those that fall under her department in
Region Ten. “We (Guyana) always perform and we must ensure that we continue,” Anderson
told www.aroundtheregions.com in an exclusive interview. The acting REdO said that her
department along with several teachers in Region Ten are ready for the November 9 th
rescheduled reopening of schools for grades 10,11, 12 and 13 students.
“We always perform and we have to continue doing so as Guyana has maintained a prominent
spot as one of the top performing countries regionally and there is no doubt that the longer we
take to reopen schools, it’s going to be even more challenging for students to maintain the
standard that we have set over the years. However, what is very important is that we would have
to do it very safely, thus ensuring that both our students and teachers remain safe,” she opined.
When asked as to whether her department is fully ready for the November 9 reopening,
Anderson said that they are. She pointed out that they have been sanitizing schools with all
secondary schools completed with the exception of Kwakwani secondary.
“Everything has been finalized for the most part, we have been working, we have been sanitizing
schools, we have finished all the secondary schools with the exception of Kwakwani that needs
to be fumigated, which is being done this week. Our janitorial staff are in place as they are going
to schools from time to time to ensure that the buildings are kept at a certain standard and during
the course of this week we will do our final cleaning,” she assured.
Anderson disclosed that her department has already put together both teachers and students.
Anderson said that the care packages which would be distributed this week will see a number of
reusable masks being included along with sanitizers. She noted further that each school has the
required hand washing sinks at the secondary schools, ensuring that they have met the Ministry
of Health COVID 19 guidelines.
“We also have care packages for each of the teachers and dorm children and so we will distribute
this week. We will give six to each student and teachers. We have copious amounts of sanitizers
and so on, hand washing facilities at all of our secondary schools at the entrance so for the most
part we are ready,” Anderson declared.
The Region Ten educator of more than twenty three years stressed that her region has always
been the trendsetter and has no intentions of relinquishing that image. As such, she maintained
that the students would continue being engaged in extracurricular and sporting activities as a
means of balancing their academics.
“Region Ten will continue to take part in extracurricular activities. We promote balance and the
saying of all work and no play makes jack a dull boy is indeed a fact. We have been able to
maintain a balanced curriculum, thus allowing our students to excel. So it wouldn’t be all
academia as we will focus on the other things that help the students to be focused,” she asserted.

She continued, “Sports is a means of releasing stress and these types of things. We will see how
best we balance both for that matter and we remain confident that our students will perform
because they are accustomed to balancing with both.”
She said that there are special arrangements that will be put in place for the  dorms adding that
they are working along with the Health Department and the Regional Task Force in ensuring that
adequate and effective systems are implemented.
Minister of Education, the Hon Priya Manickchand had said in a previous release that the school
term will be adjusted, and the school week may also be extended.
Anderson confirmed that Region Ten will be fielding students for the 2021 Caribbean Secondary
Education Certificate (CSEC) and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE)
exams.
Over the past week, the Ministry of Education has been engaged in deep discussions about the
reopening of schools with both teachers and parents to come up with measures and solutions that
ensure efficient learning and safety.