The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) recently graduated 160 students who pursued work-study attachments within 12 of its units and divisions.
In his feature address at the graduation ceremony Lt Colonel Kemraj Persaud said the experience was meant to allow students to gain working experience, build human relations skills and appreciate how academic knowledge could be applied in the real world. Persaud said the programme was rooted in the GDF’s command policy to provide leadership at all levels, a press release said. In his charge to the graduates Persaud said, “While we all strive for perfection, when you fall short you must not be disappointed. Instead, confront the challenges and with your training, convert them into success stories.”
In her address Mrs Bovell a representative from the education ministry, said the ministry recognised the need to engage social partners and she was pleased with the long and fruitful relationship between it and the GDF. She said for years, students had been sent on attachments to the GDF “with the full confidence that they will emulate positive attitudes from no less than the best.” Bovell said she was grateful for the GDF’s role in moulding and shaping what the education system produced and that she was sure that both the students and their parents would be able to appreciate what they have gained from the experience.
The GDF said the students were drawn from 19 schools and organisations countrywide and their attachment occurred in two phases. They were able to benefit from experiences in a real working environment and to gain firsthand knowledge about how the Force’s mandate is carried out. They were also able to benefit from career counselling from army staffers.
The army said too the students were grateful for the experience as they now better understand the value of punctuality, courtesy, teamwork, dedication to a task and attention to detail. In some cases students whose stints had come to an end were asked to return for another stint while others requested to have theirs extended.
The release said Daniel Bristol, Toya Harris and Susannah Thompson entertained the audience in song, dance and poetry dramatization respectively, at the ceremony. Their peer Alana Chesney presented tokens to the programme coordinators on the students’ behalf while Tenisha Griffith said the Vote of Thanks to close the proceedings.
