Georgetown, November 02nd, 2018: Energy Conservation was farthest from the minds of the sixty students of grades 5 and 6 who attended the Guyana Energy Agency’s (GEA) ‘Express Your Energy’ activity which was held on Friday November 2nd, 2018 in the auditorium of Cotton Field Secondary School Region 2 and jump started GEA’s activities for CARICOM Energy Month (CEM) 2018.
Representing 6 Primary schools that were selected by the Regional Educational Office, the students hailed from: 8th of May Primary, Sparta Primary, CV Nunes Primary, Taymouth Manor Primary, Queenstown Primary and Suddie Primary. The high energy and exuberance with which the students and their teachers, who joined in to support their pupils, conveyed their interpretation and knowledge of energy sources, sustainability, energy conservation and energy efficiency through artwork/pictorial illustrations, word search and conservation tips caused a few spectators to flock the windows of the venue.
From its conception in 2012, the activity has targeted Primary School Students and was hosted this year by the GEA, in collaboration with the Hinterland Electrification Company (HECI) through the IDB funded Public Awareness Project -” Promoting the Benefits of Renewable Energy Technologies and the Rational Use of Energy”.
Ms. Shondelle Hercules, District Education Officer Primary, who gave remarks on behalf the Regional Education Officer Ag. Miss Nicola Matthews, expressed thanks to GEA and for hosting the activity in Region 2. She said that “Our Office appreciate this timely initiative which was educational and presented in a fun format which both students and teachers enjoyed…The activities that were done can be integrated into our school’s curriculum….”. While Primary Officer Mr. Netram Doobay said that “…the activity, even though it focused on energy, demonstrated extensive curriculum integration as the tasks the students had to complete exposed them to Social Studies, Grammar, Science, Art and would even aid them in composition writing…”. He too expressed sentiments of thanks to the GEA and HECI for remembering Region 2 and choosing to have their students benefit from the exercise.
The activity was a non-competitive one therefore students were not judged or ranked based on their illustrations. Rather, each student (and teacher) was awarded tokens of appreciation as an honorary ‘Energy Champion’. The energy themed tasks pupils completed were word searches, listing of energy conservation measures and using art to depict renewable energy sources.
One of the activities planned by GEA to commemorate CARICOM Energy Month (CEM) 2018, the main aim of ‘Express your Energy’ is to tap into the creativity of future energy champions, children, by allowing them to express their view and perspectives on energy related matters in a non-competitive environment.
The Guyana Energy Agency wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to Regional Education Officer Ag. Ms. Nicola Matthews and team for their collaboration and assistance in making this activity a success. A special thank you is also being extended to the Head Teacher and Deputy Head of the host school, Cotton Field Primary.
In keeping with the promotion of sustainable energy development, CARICOM Energy Month 2018 (November 1-30) is being celebrated under the theme “Clean Energy, Good Governance and Regulation: Generating Growth and Resilience”. The Guyana Energy Agency, in the exercise of its mandate, continues to promote energy efficiency, energy conservation and the development and utilisation of alternative sources of energy. CEM, consistent with Guyana’s energy thrust and Green State Development Strategy, serves as an annual feature in fulfilling part of the mandate of the GEA by disseminating information essential to improving public awareness on sustainable energy, conservation and overall energy efficiency.
Attendees with GEA’s Officers.
One of the pupils completing a word search.
One of the pupils explaining his artwork depicting Renewable Energy Sources.
Ms. Shevon Wood, Head the GEA’s Energy an Energy Statistics Division, handing over a token to one of the pupils who participated in the activity.