GOAL’s GOLDEN GOAL

GUYANESE MUST GOBBLE UP THE 20,000 SCHOLARSHIPS vital to help drive the
local economy now transitioning to petro guaranteeing it future competitiveness.
Education Minister, Ms. Priya Manickchand is currently on crusades alerting communities about
the feast of learning opportunities made available by the government, even for those who have
been on an extended diet; disqualified themselves from attending such banquets, or feared
compulsory contractual connections afterwards.
What the government wants to build continuously, Ms. Manickchand is stating, is a cadre of
nationals willing to participate in the cerebral fiesta. There will be entrées; main courses and
desserts, for all.
At the end of the well-prepared and greatly-enjoyed fetes, Guyanese will not be skills-anaemic or
suffer a lack in vitality for what she needs in energy to assure accelerated nation building.
“We are launching sometime around May/June when we have (a sufficient number of scholars)
on board. What we are trying to do right now is to reach persons so that they can register
,because, while we have put it on line and advertised it in the newspapers, we are aware that
people get busy and some people lose so much hope and don't know that opportunities are
available,” the Minister said about the initiative, branded as Guyana Online Academy of
Learning (GOAL).
The carte du jour is extensive.
And the government picks up the tab for the buffet.
Discussing the government’s GOAL indulgence, Minister Manickchand assured that guests of
the State-sponsored banquet will not be required to sign a compact with the government. She
believes whether her guests seek employment in the public or private sector “the country will
benefit enormously from their skills and knowledge.”

Minister Manickchand’s menu must motivate the mases.
Every community must be exposed to the tantalisingly sumptuous and mouth-watering spread
prepared for all households to feed on.
Those tasked with helping explain the ingredients comprising the Ministry of Education and/or
the Public Service Ministry’s menu, better acquaint him/herself with the life-changing nutritious
facts and help clients choose the best dish for their intellectual nourishment.
This will help dovetail simultaneously with the country’s anticipated future developmental
demands.
“It is the first time this is happening, so I feel that we need to take it out to people more. (We
need to) go into communities, let people register on the spot, leave them the forms, let them think
about it. That’s the way we have been doing (it),” the Minister explained during a radio
broadcast.
“It’s a fully online programme. We are collaborating with universities from Asia, Europe, North
America, South America, the Caribbean and possibly UG (University of Guyana) depending on
what courses they are to do…from the level of a certificate to…a PHD in a wide range of courses
to meet the needs that people told us they have,” she explained further.
In the past, State-sponsored and accepted intellectual banquets left many of its guests with acute
abdominal pains: the meals were delicious to the taste-buds, but was like wormwood in their
bellies.
Manickchand is careful to ensure the ingredients in her menu this time avoid those previous
gustatory sensations suffered by guests of governments banquets.
“We will have a structure…set up by the Ministry of Public Service…where persons can
volunteer with…various facets of the government (for example) NDCs, RDCs and so on, or with
the private sector or with NGOs or Civil Society Organisations just so that we have that spirit of
volunteerism. My hope is that once you have volunteered with an organization whenever they
have a need or whenever you have time you would want to go back there,” she explained.

She admitted that everything is not yet firmly in place for guests to dine. This is currently being
finetuned with the Ministry of Public Service, sponsors of the national event.
“The Ministry of Education has been talking about lifelong learning so we need to broaden our
horizon and stop seeing education as a one-off thing. The government and State have a
responsibility to promote that lifelong learning and give opportunities for people to learn
throughout their lives so there is no limit on the scholarships. I agree that the State should get
something from it! the people should get something from it! I hold the view that if we did
absolutely nothing but just educate them, the state will be getting something from it,” the
Education Minister explained.
No matter what one feasts on at this State-sponsored buffet, Manickchand feels volunteerism will
goad them into gratitude.
“It is being built in a way that if you study for six months you have to give two weeks! If you
study for a year you have to give four weeks! If you study for two years you have to give six
weeks! (if you study for three years (you give) eight weeks (of service) that kind of thing. We are
getting something for it,” she reasoned.
From www.aroundtheregions.com to all guests at the national intellectual fiesta, BON
APPÉTIT!