GTI graduates 394 technical, skilled persons for workforce

Last Updated on Saturday, 26 December 2015, 21:00 by GxMedia

The Government Technical Institute (GTI) staged its 2013 graduation exercise  Thursday evening at which 394 received their diplomas, much to the appreciation of their parents, friends and well wishers,  the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

“Some of you are sitting here because you made a wise decision, some of you are sitting here because your parents made a wise decision, and some of you are sitting here because other persons within your community gave you that push. For whatever reason caused you to enter the Government Technical Institute today, we are all very proud that you have reached this milestone,” Technical Co-ordinator, Ministry of Education, Melcita Bovell told the graduands.
Bovell who delivered the feature address at the exercise held at the National Cultural Centre noted that the scales have begun to fall from the eyes of the world as it pertains to technical educated. She said that the time has come when the world is recognising that technical education is necessary if it is to develop to a place where it can serve humanity well.

She pointed out that Guyana will not be left behind as Government is absolutely sure that technical education is critical to the country’s development and is not only prepared to spend significant sums in

building and expanding technical education institutes and programmes across the country, but is also prepared to nurture from an early age students in technical vocation.

The Ministry of Education in itself has moved to foster this process by introducing the Secondary Competency Certificate Programme in 70 of its secondary schools. This is to ensure there are persons leaving secondary schools at a level one position, so that later they can enter into Government Technical Institutes and move further up right to the level five, she explained.

Government is also seeking to move technical education to a place where percentage pass at an

institution will not be an issue, and in so doing, is introducing Competency Based Education Training (CBET) within the technical institutes.

Government is also moving to implement previous training assessment where a student presents his/her portfolio at an institute, is tested and certified and is also moving to offer Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ).
Chairman, GTI/GITC Board of Governor Norman McLean urged that the next bold step be taken to make GTI into a polytechnic institute.

McLean noted that the graduating class was a decrease from a high of 72 percent pass rate to 58 percent, a decline of 14 percent.

Principal Carl Benn reported that of a total of 678 students who wrote the 2012-2013 Guyana Technical Education examination administered by the Ministry of Education, 398 were successful reflecting a 58

percent pass.  One hundred and eighty-nine (189) students were referred in one or two subjects and 95 or 14 percent failed three or more subjects.

The Principal disclosed that an analysis of the performance of each department revealed that the Science Department was the most improved, gaining a 74 percent overall pass rate against a 33 percent in 2012.

He said that the areas of weakness for the students are Mathematics and Management.
On a high note, the institution gained five out of eight awards at the National Awards Ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Education. These were for Technical Diploma in Building and Civil Engineering (Colin Quintyn,) Ordinary Diploma in Science (David Duncan,) Elementary Certificate in Telecommunications (Javid Armstrong,) Technician Certificate in Electrical Engineering Part 11 (Michael Hunte,) and Ordinary Diploma in Commerce (Sheneza Moore.)
Chairman, Council Technical Vocation Education Training (CTVET) Clinton Williams presented the charge to the graduands, urging them to be courageous, honest, to have the right attitude, and in all things strive for excellence as they go forward.

The valedictorian was Colin Quintyn from the Building and Civil Engineering Department who gained a distinction.
Several awards were handed out including several to Colin Quintyn, the Sports Woman of the Year 2012/2013 Award to Tesha Grimes and the Department of the Year Award, which went to the Science Department.
Awards were also given to the best graduating students from each Department and to the outstanding First Year performers.