In acknowledgement of the desire to ‘give back’, former students of the North Georgetown Secondary School (NGSS) yesterday presented their alma mater with 30 computer tablets and accessories.
This presentation was in addition to renovating a room at the school for use as an E-library, which together will enable current and future students to have easier access to research material.
The handing over of the tablets and accessories was held in the new E-Library of the NGSS on Woolford Avenue.
Over a year ago, former students of NGSS, in observance of the schools 50th anniversary, agreed to renovate a room at the school to be used as an E-library. They also agreed to donate tablet computers and accessories for the E-Library. They split into two committees to manage and accomplish both projects. Both committees were established in March, 2018 in Guyana and North America. One was named ‘NGSS 50 Guyana’ while the other was named ‘NGSS 50 North America.’ The former committee was responsible for constructing the E-Library space, internet via fibre optic cable, network connections and educational content while the latter was responsible for the purchasing of the tablets and accessories.
In November of 2018, both groups began holding fundraisers and other activities to garner the money needed to fund the project.
The air-conditioned E-library, which will be powered by a solar system, is equipped with a network cabinet and internet access. The official opening of the E-library is scheduled for September 17, after the tablets are affixed to the tables.
According to the coordinator of the NGSS committee, Rear Admiral Gary Best, the project is a collaborative effort between the school, the two committees of former students, and the National Data Management Authority.
In her remarks on behalf of the NGSS 50 North America, Jacqueline Jarvis-Squires thanked the former students who partnered with the committee and offered their “unwavering support” with the fundraising activities. She said that the students can never express enough gratitude for their experiences at the school, which are pivotal to their current success. “By giving back we are paving the way and leading by example, hoping the future generations of North Georgetown Secondary will embrace the importance of paying it forward and working towards enhancing the educational experiences of the generations that are to follow.”
She further stated that they (the former students) “will forever be grateful” for the roles NGSS played in moulding their future. “The time we spent at NGSS, not only provided academic enrichment but also significantly contributed to our social and emotional development and created in us a sense of community,” she emphasised.
She said that she hopes the beneficiaries of the E-Library, use it with purpose and be inspired by the knowledge that former students are investing in their acquisition of knowledge.
Meanwhile the Deputy of NGSS, Minerva Stoby, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the 50th anniversary committee and to “all those who exerted efforts in ensuring the success of the activity.” She went on to say that she has no doubt that the students will be excited to discover the E-Library when school reopens. It makes them feel [good] especially those who don’t have tablets or internet access at home. She also assured the former students that the staff would ensure that every single student benefits from the E-Library especially those that are unable to access computers, tablets and the internet in their homes. “They can do their research before they leave the school and I assure you that [the] teachers will not leave this like a white elephant,” the Deputy concluded.
