Bishops’ High wins GGMC’s Science, Technology contest

Bishops’ High School was announced the winner of the recently-concluded Secondary Schools’ Science and Technology Quiz 2011 competition when the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) hosted an award ceremony in the conference room of the Ocean View International Hotel on Tuesday afternoon.

The finalists were Queen’s College and Bishops’ High School.

Kaleshwar Singh from Bishops’ High was awarded a special prize for being the top scoring secondary student, and received an extra book voucher valued $10,000,  the Government Information Agency (GINA) said in a press release.

Bishops’ High School’s team and Chairman of GGMC Joseph Singh (left), stop for a photo opportunity (GINA photo)

GGMC’s chairman, Major General (Ret’d) Joseph Singh said that the objectives of the quiz are to encourage and engage students pursuing studies in the science and technology fields at the secondary level to develop a more in-depth approach to research and studies in science, mathematics and the geo-sciences. “It also has the objective of creating greater awareness and to provide strategic information to students who are interested in pursuing careers in the above subject areas,” Singh was quoted as saying.

And acting Commissioner of GGMC, Karen Livan said that the prizes given serve only as an incentive to those who would have participated in and won the competition.

“Mining and petroleum industries are growing areas in Guyana…We are encouraging investors and practitioners to become involved in exploration and mining activities…We are at a stage where these industries are poised to take off…  This will offer new and interesting careers and opportunities in the field of science and technology,” Livan said.

GGMC, in keeping with its role in promoting awareness and education of science, technology, mining and the geo-sciences, has initiated this Secondary Schools’ Quiz Programme for students in the science and technology fields at the Fifth Form level.

The schools which participated in the 2011 competition were Queen’s College, St. Rose’s High, St. Joseph High, Three Miles Secondary, Zeeburg Secondary, Christianburg/Wismar Secondary, Berbice High, Bishops’ High, North West Secondary, West Demerara Secondary, Bygeval Secondary, Central Corentyne Secondary, President’s College, Abrams Zuil Secondary and Central High.

At the award ceremony each contestant from the Berbice High School, Three Miles Secondary, Bygeval Secondary and Central Corentyne Secondary were given consolation prizes of a Book Voucher valued $5,000 and certificates.

Meanwhile, each contestant from Queen’s College was given trophies, book vouchers valued $10,000 and certificates of participation, while each contestant from the winning team was given trophies and book vouchers valued $25,000 along with a computer system.

Bishops’ High School’s team and Chairman of GGMC Joseph Singh (left), stop for a photo opportunity (GINA photo)