CIMBUX. Inc
14th Biennial Reunion
Theme: “Revival for Excellence through Education”
November 9, 2013
Dr. Desiree DeFlorimonte, Keynote Speaker
CIMBUX. Inc
14th Biennial Reunion
Theme: “Revival for Excellence through Education”
November 9, 2013
Dr. Desiree DeFlorimonte, Keynote Speaker
Thank you kindly Mr. Dougal for those kind remarks. To President Azore, Members of the Executive Board, Ambassador & Mrs. Karan, Brother Eusi Kwayana, Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Good Evening!
It’s an honor and I’m particularly delighted to follow in the footsteps of your past guest speakers: Mrs. Paulette Charles, Dr. David Hinds and Mr. Patrick Bathersfield. I’m truly humbled! Now, I’ve been asked to speak on the theme of “Revival for Excellence Through Education”. As you heard in the introduction, I’ve been a teacher for forty years even though I’m just forty-five (LOL) so this is a topic for which I’m truly passionate. Tonight with your forbearance, I will briefly share some thoughts on how we go about reviving excellence not only in Buxton but throughout our dear land of Guyana.
Before I proceed, I would like to recognize CIMBUX for the strength and courage (words synonymous with Buxtonians) you’ve displayed in striving for excellence and improving the educational standards in Buxton, Friendship, Vigilance and surrounding villages. You are a role model for Guyanese Organizations everywhere. Let’s give a round of APPLAUSE!!!
Many of us here tonight can recall the glory days when we would boast of having the highest literacy rate in the Caribbean. We always had a love affair with learning and there was an attitude of excellence that prevailed throughout the land. We’re from a village, a country that has educated the best and the brightest and we can be found throughout the diaspora in a plethora of professions. Things have certainly changed and I cringe each time I read of the low standards of education, poverty, inadequately trained teachers, the disconnect between parents, teachers and administrators, lack of discipline and values, dilapidated & unsafe school buildings, minimal financial resources and the list goes on and on. What on earth happened to our education system? How can we return to the glory days and ensure that every young Buxtonian, every Guyanese student whatever their race, religion or social background is able to receive a world-class education of excellence and achieve their full potential?
Recently I read about this mother who knocked on her son’s door to wake him up. “Okay son, it’s time to wake up, it’s time for school”. The son in a grumpy mood says, “I don’t want to go to school”. The mother insists, “You must son, now come on and get out of bed”. The son replies, I don’t want to go, the children make fun of me and curse at me and the teachers don’t like me, the building is falling down, I don’t want to go to school”. The mother said gently, “Son, you know you have to go to school”. “Give me one good reason why I have to go to school” the son asked. The mother replied, “Because you are the Headmaster”!
So how do we begin with this Herculean task of creating a world class education system in Guyana. There are a myriad of areas that need to be reformed in order to revive that attitude of excellence. In the essence of time, I will focus on three (3) of the fundamental reforms I personally feel will turn our schools around and aid in the revival of excellence through education.
First, we need to raise academic standards. The present structure of the system does students a tremendous disservice by not delivering a quality education. Students need more rigor in their studies instead of a watered down curriculum. International surveys have shown that the gap between Guyanese least able students and our most able students is much higher than in other Caribbean countries and far too many students are leaving primary and secondary schools without even the rudiments of Literacy and Math. This tragedy has been unfolding right before our eyes and I’m bewildered at the complacency of many stakeholders in the face of this national crisis.
Despite isolated outstanding performances, Guyanese students again performed poorly on this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (SCEC). Only 29%of students were successful in Math and 31% were successful in English. One of Buxton’s own scholars, Dr. David Hinds, has stated (and I quote) “If seven out of ten students cannot pass math, six out of ten cannot pass Reading and four out of ten cannot pass with top grades, then we have a National Disaster on our hands”. (End of quote). An educated population is the answer to promoting jobs, social and economic development as well as personal well-being. I maintain that raising standards, incorporating more rigorous and relevant instruction and never tolerating mediocrity will emit excellence from our students.
The second reform is producing a high quality of teachers and administrators. Research shows that teacher quality is the single most important factor in influencing student achievement. Good teachers are the heart and soul of any good school but teaching excellence can only be attained through well trained teachers. Unfortunately, the crisis of teacher education in Guyana is staggering. The same pool of under-prepared students is being recruited to be trained as teachers. Mediocrity is accepted and these teachers, with limited resources and miniscule salaries are left to instruct our youngsters. Due to this quandary, many teachers are frustrated and have left Guyana for greener pastures in the Caribbean, the US, Canada and other parts of the world.
If you can remember at least one teacher who inspired you in some way to dig a little deeper, reach a little higher and further than you might otherwise have done, raise your hand. On the count of three, I want you to shout out the name of that teacher…1, 2, 3 Ovrille Johnson. Let’s honor them with a round of applause. Many of us have had our lives turned around by these well trained, dedicated and inspirational teachers whose high expectations and good teaching made us strive for excellence and attain success.
Finally, the third area of reform is parent, family and community partnerships. “It takes a village to raise a child” is the popular African proverb with a distinctly clear message: the whole community (from the grass roots up) has a vital role to play in assuring high quality education and the growth and development of its young people. We know that this collaboration of schools, families and communities rarely just happens – it has to be intentionally designed. That’s why I’m so proud of CIMBUX for taking the initiative and leading the charge to partner with schools in the villages.
In conclusion, reviving excellence in education will take tremendous dedication and commitment from all stakeholders involved. We will not escape the trend of mediocrity overnight, but escape it we must if we are to have any hope of again becoming a village, a nation of greatly literate citizens. Raising the standards and having high expectations of our students will increase literacy and improve academic performance. Instead of accepting poor work we must demand excellence. Teachers and administrators must be highly trained in order to inspire and facilitate our students’ learning and there must be a joint venture between supportive parents, dedicated teachers, cooperative communities and a responsive Government. My grandmother use to say, “One-one duttie build dam” and that is precisely what we all need to do…work together, and take every step towards overcoming the challenges therefore investing in our future – our children.
I’m asking that each of you support the members of CIMBUX – these pioneers and role models as they serve as the catalyst for the revival of excellence through education. Thank you very much! May God bless you, God bless Buxton and God bless Guyana!
