The Ministry of Education yesterday signed three contracts, worth a total $480M, for the supply of computers, office equipment, tools and furniture to the newly-constructed Technical and Vocational Educational Training (TVET) centres in regions Three and Five.
This was made possible by funding from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) in collaboration with the Government of Guyana.
Minister of Education Shaik Baksh, speaking at the signing ceremony, stated that the contractors were chosen after a process was undertaken to determine their levels of integrity, and ability to meet the requirements of the contracts. This process was conducted by both the CDB and the responsible government ministry.
Signing for the respective contract awardees were Deonarine Etwaroo, Managing Director of International Pharmaceutical Agency (IPA); Ben ter Welle, Honorary Consul Republic of Germany; Mohammed Baksh, Director and CEO of Pest Control Plus; and Michael Brehastat, of Digital Technology.
Minister Baksh noted that the initiative to introduce the TVET centres was part of the Education Strategic Plan, which aims at enhancing technical /vocational institutions’ ability to equip students with the skills needed in the local workforce, thus opening avenues of employment for young people.
The two centres, at Leonora in Region Three and Mahaicony in Region Five, will complement the programmes which have already been implemented at 35 secondary schools and seven instruction centers across the country. It is envisaged that the skills inculcated there will be compliant with those of regional standards in the areas of crop and soil sciences, art and fabric decoration, catering, joinery, masonry, and welding among others, Baksh said.
The contractors are scheduled to complete distribution of equipment to the Leonora institution by the end of August, and to Mahaicony by the end of September.
All work on the buildings is now expected to be completed by the end of 2011, as there was a delay due to unfavourable weather conditions. The delay will not affect the planned September openings.
