West Ruimveldt Primary, St Stanislaus get ministry’s high attendance award

West Ruimveldt Primary was again among 36 primary and secondary schools in Georgetown which were rewarded for high attendance rates when the Ministry of Education staged its school attendance award ceremony last Wednesday.

Assistant Chief Education Officer – Nursery Doodmattie Singh addresses students at the ministry’s school attendance award ceremony held at the Gymnasium.

This is the second year running that West Ruimveldt Primary has received the award for the primary school with the highest attendance rates a press release from the Government Information Agency (GINA) said. In the secondary schools category St Stanislaus had the highest attendance rates.

GINA said schools were asked to submit the names of students who had achieved between 98-100 per cent attendance rates. Of the 75 primary and secondary schools in Georgetown 36 participated in the contest which saw 1000 students being presented with certificates. The schools included North Georgetown, St Pius, St Margaret’s, FE Pollard, JE Burnham, St Ambrose, St Angela’s, Redeemer, Comenius, Graham’s Hall and Winfer Gardens primary schools.

The participating secondary and special schools included Dolphin, David Rose, Ascension, St Barnabas, New Campbellville, Christ Church, Brickdam, St Joseph’s, East Ruimveldt, North Georgetown, North Ruimveldt and St Rose’s.

In her address to the audience which included students from the participating schools Principal Education Officer Marcel Hutson said the ministry had recognised that there was a correlation between time spent in school and the completion of the curriculum. Regular attendance ensured that the curriculum was successfully completed and students were able to excel at the various examinations. Hutson said students must be serious about their attendance and punctuality. He also noted that teachers were not exempt from the process and they would be recognised at a different time for their efforts.

Additionally, Assistant Chief Education Officer Nursery Doodmattie Singh emphasised the call towards ensuring quality education and said that teachers must utilise child-friendly methods. Singh also said students must also urge their parents to send them to school and they should  encourage their friends and classmates to attend regularly.

Head Teacher at Winfer Gardens Jennifer Cumberbatch commended the students for their efforts at attending school regularly. She pointed out that being at school regularly engaged them in socialisation, learning new things and problem solving.