SEPTUAGENARIAN REGISTERS FOR GOAL SCHOLARSHIP

A SEPTUAGENARIAN FROM ST CUTHBERT’S MISSION IS AMONG MORE THAN
50 APPLICANTS TO REGISTER FOR A SHOT AT A SCHOLARSHIP under the
government’s much-touted Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) initiative.
Recently-elected Toshao, Mr. Timothy Andrews said he and the villagers were “pleasantly
surprised” when Mr. Leeland Clenkian, in his 70’s, showed with other aspirants and signed up
for the GOAL programme to help expand his knowledge.
“We in the community were very happy that at such an age Sir Clenkian is determined to access
the opportunities that are being made available by the government of Guyana. It is our wish that
whatever he has applied for, that he is successful,” the Toshao said.
Andrews sees the GOAL initiative as a fillip for economic development of Mahaica-River
community founded some 200 years ago and populated by more than 300 households comprising
its 1700 mainly-Amerindian residents

“I am hoping that those who apply are very successful as we are of the belief that the skills and
knowledge gained will help this community in improving,” he said.
According to the Toshao, one of the greatest benefits of the GOAL programme is that some of
the courses offered need no form of formal academic qualifications which will help especially
those who didn’t complete formal schooling and will now have a second chance of qualifying in
a specialised skill.
These courses are Certificate in Food and Nutrition; Awareness Programme on Dairy Farming
for Rural Farmers; Bachelor Preparatory Course; Certificate in Craft and Design (Pottery); and
Certificate in Motor Service and Repair, Andrews said.
Minister Sonia Parag’s visit to the community helped fire up residents and interest in the GOAL
scheme and many more residents have signalled intention to sign up, Toshao Andrews disclosed.

“It’s been overwhelming, lots of excitement from especially those who see this as a second
chance at furthering their dreams and achieving their goals. Seeing even a pensioner applying
made me even happier for all of the applicants,” the Toshao noted.
When a senior citizen such as Sir Clenkian is sufficiently motivated to roll back the years and
register for classes, it is testament to the imaginativeness of the government’s GOAL vision and
the administration should “take a pat on the shoulder” Andrews said.
At the same time other indigenous communities should follow suit and enroll en masse for
the online learning initiative, Toshao Andrews counselled.