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Prisoner escapes while attending clinic at GPHC Sep 07, 2024 News Kaieteur News – An inmate of the Lusignan Prison escaped on Friday morning while attending clinic at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). The escapee, Isiah Daniels also known as Isiah Greaves escaped at approximately 11:30h. The Guyana Prison Service (GPS) in a notice said that Greaves last known address is 485 ‘A’ Field Sophia, Georgetown. Persons with information about Greaves’ whereabouts are being asked to contact the nearest police station or the Officer-in-Charge of the Alisia’s Prison on telephone number 604-7305. Related Similar Articles

ExxonMobil extends contract for four drill rigs costing Guyana around US$2M daily   Sep 07, 2024 News One of the Noble Drill Ships working for Exxon offshore Guyana Kaieteur News – ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) has extended its contract with American offshore drilling company Noble Corporation for four of its drill ships to work in the Stabroek Block. According to Noble, ExxonMobil has awarded 4.8 additional rig years of backlog under the Commercial Enabling Agreement (CEA) which has been assigned evenly across the four drill ships: Noble Tom Madden, Noble Sam Croft, Noble Don Taylor and Noble Bob Douglas, extending each rig’s contract duration from June 2027 to August 2028. In May 2023, Noble announced that ExxonMobil Guyana had extended their contract for the rental of the four ultra-deep-water drill ships to work in Guyana until second quarter of 2027. Notably, Noble had explained that market-based day rates are reset twice per year (March 1, and September 1) to the projected market rate at that time. This publication had previously reported that Exxon is utilising six drill ships for its Stabroek Block project – four vessels from A Noble and two from Stena Drilling. Earlier this year, Liam Mallon, ExxonMobil Upstream President disclosed that EMGL is operating six drill rigs in the Stabroek Block daily costing an average of  US$420,000 (GYD$84 million)  to US$500,000 (GYD$100M) per day for each ship, based on current market-rate. It was during his address at the opening of the 2024 Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo when Mallon made the disclosure. “Meanwhile, we talked a lot about the source of the revenue, six drilling rigs and their crews are at work every single day 24/7 throughout the block, drilling and exploring, preparing yellowtail and Uaru for startup tirelessly developing the existing resource base and seeking to find even new discoveries,” Mallon told the conference. Moreover, a 2023 report by Wood Mackenzie, a global research and consultancy group, had shown that rig utilisation returned to pre-COVID levels, driving rates up. Wood Mackenzie had reported that by the end of 2023 rates were expected to be at US$500,000/day or above for highly-prized, advantaged ultra-deep-water rigs. EMGL is producing a daily average of 645,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd) and have plans to hit a target of 1.2 million bdp by 2027. Since 2015 the company has made over 30 discoveries from its drilling campaign in the Stabroek Block which is estimated to hold 11.6 billion barrels recoverable oil. It should be noted that for every day that the drill ships work, Guyana will have to foot the bill. Owing to the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), Guyana signed with Exxon – all of the company’s expense will be recovered. Under the deal, Exxon receives profits after 75 percent is withdrawn to cover operational expenses. Related Similar Articles

Govt. to roll out digital techniques to address low Maths passes at CSEC Sep 07, 2024 News President Irfaan Ali Kaieteur News – The Government of Guyana (GoG) intends to implement the use of technology in the education sector to address the country’s declining Mathematics pass rates at Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) level, President Irfaan Ali announced on Thursday. The President was at the time speaking at the commissioning ceremony for the Yarrowkabra Secondary School. At the event, the Head-of-State spoke of government’s plan to invest in digitilisation techniques in the education sector aimed at targeting improved results. “…We also have to look at how opportunities, how we use new technology, environment and the best methods through which we can have improvement in Mathematics,” the President said while adding that  “…There are some important tools that we can utilize instantaneously and that is why we are investing, we are investing in digitization of education, the digitization of our textbooks, the  digitization of our teaching material, the digitization of our learning material, the digitization of our delivery.” Kaieteur News reported that this year’s CSEC results saw a 3 percent dip, moving from 34 percent in 2023 to 31 percent this year. President Ali said that Mathematics requires more analytical thinking, and a problem-solving approach which may cause students to shy away from the subject. He said that an important platform in digitization is e-learning and online education. The Government is currently examining three proposals that deal with online education. “… 24 hours every day we can place our schools, our students in a classroom scenario in an education scenario, in a learning environment, getting the best resource that we have nationally, putting those resources in a digital format and delivering online education,” Ali said. The President noted that technology will be used to close the learning gap emphasizing that the Ministry of Education will “…Infuse it into a national programme and disseminate it across the learning platform…” He said, “We want to bridge this learning gap.” Meanwhile, at the beginning of the new school term this month, the Ministry of Education in an effort to tackle the decline in the country’s Mathematics performance at the regional examination announced that all secondary schools and secondary departments in the primary schools must have more periods allotted for the subject which will now be taught during the morning hours. According to a circular sent out by the Chief Education Officer, Saddam Hussain, the schools were required to implement 16 guidelines before September 6, 2024 in order to improve the mathematics performances among students. The CEO in the document stated that the “Ministry of Education has observed several undesirable practices in the teaching of mathematics across secondary schools. Specifically, our monitoring mechanisms revealed that CSEC mathematics performance has been affected negatively by these practices.” According to the circular, (1) Mathematics must be taught in all classes of all grades, for a minimum of 240 minutes per week. Schools can choose to have more periods allocated to mathematics and the school’s curriculum schedule must be immediately adjusted to reflect this change. (2) Schools which have recorded an exceptionally high CSEC pass rate for mathematics in the last two (2) years (2023 and 2024) can apply to the Assistant Chief Education Officer (Secondary), through the established channel, for a reduction or exemption to guideline #1. Importantly, (3) all mathematics periods must be timetabled in the AM sessions (morning sessions), and (4) all mathematics periods must be timetabled in double periods, except if an exemption request is made by the school’s Head of Department for mathematics to the school’s Senior Leadership for approval. The ministry further implemented that (5) Grades 10 and 11 mathematics teachers must meet weekly to plan lessons, identify resources, design evaluation instruments, evaluate past lessons, plan remediation strategies and all other related curriculum activities. Also (6) problem-solving practice must be allocated a minimum of two (2) periods per week for all classes. “The solving of CSEC past-paper questions must commence at Grade 7. In using CSEC-type questions, consideration must be given to the topic and level of difficulty. It is recommended that problem-solving questions completed during these periods should be recorded in a separate exercise book to facilitate marking,” the ministry implemented. Additionally, the mathematics jargon must be explicitly taught as used in past CSEC papers and found in the CSEC syllabus (A glossary of terms). (8) As far as possible, schools should aim to finish the CSEC syllabus by the end of the Christmas term in Grade 11. The CEO listed in the document also that the Easter Term in Grade 11 should be used for the solution of CSEC-type questions (papers 1 and 2) and general review. It was stated that (9) Regional Mathematics Subject Committees must be resuscitated to facilitate monthly meetings, whether virtually or in-person and the main purpose of these meetings must be to explore different methodologies in teaching mathematical content. External help should be sought from NCERD, CPCE, UG, among other agencies. (10) In conducting their designated supervisory activities, head teachers and deputy head teachers must prioritize mathematics classes across grades. The document stated (11) the mathematics SBA must begin no later than the second week of the August term of Grade 10 and it can commence earlier if a school so chooses. (12) Schools must establish a committee to review a sample of mathematics SBAs, while (13) evaluation strategies, similar to the mathematics SBA, must be used in different grades for students to develop an appreciation for the application of mathematics. Further, (14) a remediation strategy must be immediately implemented for Grade 11 mathematics and Education Officers are instructed to observe and report on the implementation of the remediation strategy in all schools under their supervision, the ministry outlined. “(15) Schools are aware that certain ‘non-mathematical’ factors affect students’ performance in mathematics such as attendance and punctuality. The school’s senior leadership team is required to identify these factors and implement systems to mitigate their influence. (16) A recommendation will be made for disciplinary action to be taken against all supervisors (at the levels of the school and Department of Education) if students are not taught, though timetabled, or if the syllabus is deliberately not completed,” the CEO informed. It was reported that the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) this year recorded an overall decline in the mathematics past rate across the Caribbean, with it dropping significantly from 43% in 2023 to 36%, which saw most candidates achieving grade three in the subject. Related Similar Articles

Man, 65, survives vicious bee attack Sep 07, 2024 News Kaieteur News – A 65-year-old man on Thursday morning survived a vicious attack by a swarm of bees after he was reportedly cleaning a drain in the vicinity of Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara (WCD). The man, who requested anonymity, told Kaieteur News during an interview that the incident occurred at about 09:00hrs while he was cleaning drains in the area. “Me was working …cleaning drain, so me go to a place where me clean the drain and the bees come out just like that, and storm on me,” the 65-year-old man recalled. He said that for about 20 minutes, he endured the stings by the swarm of bees, as he pulled his black jersey to cover his ears, and nose. Fortunately, a public-spirited citizen placed a cloth and waved a stick over the 65-year-old man to get to remove the bees. After the bees departed, the man was taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where he was treated and sent away. The man told Kaieteur News that he is still in lots of pain and feels “very weak”. Related Similar Articles

Ex-boyfriend found in woman’s trunk after breaching Protection Order, jailed Sep 07, 2024 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News Kaieteur News – A 29-year-old man on Friday was sentenced to two months in jail for breaching a Protection Order by hiding in his ex-girlfriend’s car trunk, threatening her with a knife, and chasing her. sentenced two months in jail; Rawl Simon Rawl Simon of Red Road, Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) appeared before Magistrate Annette Singh at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court where the charge was read to him. The charge against Simon stated that on September 5, 2024, at Lot 21 Regent and Oronoque Streets, he violated a Protection Order made in favour of Donessa McCalmont and was issued on June 14 at the Diamond Magistrates’ Court. Simon pleaded not guilty to the charge. According to police statements presented in court, Simon went to his ex-girlfriends’ workplace where he hid himself in the woman’s’ car trunk. Moments later, McCalmont went to her car and opened her trunk where she saw Simon with a knife in his hand. He threatened her with the said knife. At that moment McCalmont became fearful and fled from her car but Simon chased after her. She told the court that she ran into a nearby house for refuge. The woman subsequently reported the incident, leading to Simon’s arrest and charge. The prosecutor noted that Simon was given an order to keep 500ft away from McCalmont. However, Simon’s action clearly breached the order. During the court proceedings, Simon, who was unrepresented by a lawyer, requested leniency, claiming, “She’s [McCalmont] trying to victimize me… I saw her cheating on me last week.” McCalmont clarified that they were not in a relationship at the time. Magistrate Singh considered the seriousness of the offence decided to sentence him to two months in prison. Related Similar Articles

$60M St. Gabriel’s Nursery School commissioned Sep 07, 2024 News commissioned, Priya Manickchand, St. Gabriel’s Nursery School, young children, government Kaieteur News – The Ministry of Education on Friday commissioned the $60,100,000 St. Gabriel’s Nursery School in Georgetown, a facility which is designed to provide high-quality early childhood education. According to information released by the ministry, the school is equipped with modern classrooms, interactive learning environments, and outdoor play areas that are designed to foster both academic growth and social development for young children. Construction of the $60 million nursery school began in March 2022 and was executed by contractor Trevon David Construction. The new school is said to be accommodating 161 pupils and 13 staff members across 10 classrooms which are divided equally into 5 first-year and 5 second-year classrooms. Not the first school project to be commissioned for the year, it was reported that this project among others all form part of the government’s aim at enhancing educational access and quality for all Guyanese. Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand at the commissioning ceremony revealed that although nursery education is not mandated in Guyana, the country has the highest enrollment rate of nursery aged children in the Commonwealth Caribbean. “That is Guyana’s interest in education, and because Nursery education is not compulsory, it has never received the same kind of infrastructure, the same kind of attention that Primary and Secondary has. But from 2020 to now, we have built 42 Nursery schools across this country. I so often speak of the secondary schools we’re building, that I don’t think people realize it’s across the sector that we’re developing our physical infrastructure for children,” the minister explained. Noting the importance of nursery education, the Education Minister stated that if nursery teachers put out children who cannot read at their grade level, then the entire system feels that. “They go into Grade One and struggle, to Grade Two and struggle, reach Grade Six and can’t write a single word on the NGSA paper, and so, this is the level where we’re investing significantly to ensure they’re getting the foundation they need,” she said. Further, the Minister said that in addition to the creation and printing of new books to cater to the needs of children, the Ministry will continue to support parents across all educational levels. Meanwhile, Assistant Chief Education Officer with Responsibility for Nursery Schools, Devendra Persaud at the ceremony emphasized the critical role of educational infrastructure and its positive impact in the learning environments. “There is strong evidence that high-quality infrastructure facilitates better instruction, improves student outcomes, and reduces dropout rates, among other benefits,” he mentioned. The Education Ministry further highlighted that the nursery school is founded on a progressive educational philosophy that emphasizes the importance of early learning experiences. The curriculum is designed to engage children through hands-on activities, creative exploration, and individualized attention, ensuring that each child’s unique needs and interests are addressed. Related Similar Articles

PNCR Executive Member Alan Munroe passes away Sep 07, 2024 News Kaieteur News – The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) has announced the passing of one of its long-serving members, Mr. Alan Munroe, JP, AA. Alan Munroe The party stated that Mr. Munroe passed away on Friday, September 6, 2024, at the Davis Memorial Hospital. In a statement, the PNCR expressed deep sadness over the loss of Mr. Munroe, describing him as a stalwart of the party. He was also an Elder within the PNCR and played a significant role in the organization throughout his lifetime. Mr. Munroe served in various capacities, including as Chairman of the Regional Democratic Council of Region Four, Co-chairman of the Joint Task Force on Local Government Reform, and Chairman of the Teaching Service Commission. The PNCR extended heartfelt condolences to Mr. Munroe’s family, relatives, and friends during their time of mourning. Related Similar Articles