Guyana-China Friendship Youth Leadership Development Award launched

The Guyana-China Friendship Youth Leadership Development Award is a competition that will focus on a community-based project, critique of a work of art and the participation in sport activities including athletics, gymnastics, dance and swimming. The award was launched following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Education and the Chinese Embassy in Georgetown.

“Anything that could help us advance that process is always welcomed,” Education Minister Priya Manickchand said as she welcomed this initiative. The Minister pointed out that the program will apply to every Education District which includes the ten Administrative Regions and Georgetown.

Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, Mr. Chen Xilai welcomed the opportunity to promote such an educational programme.

“We hope that this award will inspire the Guyanese students to have a dream and exemplify in their studies; grow up to be future leaders in various fields in Guyana and contribute to national development,” Ambassador Xilai said.

The competition is open to grades eight to 10 students who are currently at a secondary school in any of the 11 Education Districts according to Lorraine Barker-King, Administrator of the Unit of Allied Arts. Winners would receive a cash prize of US$1000.

Ms.Barker-King explained that each Education District will shortlist eight grade 10 students to participate in the competition as she said this is so because of the three grades, only grade 10 students are physically attending school.

Students will be shortlisted based on the following criteria: participation in sports, academic performance, leadership qualities, mental qualities, self-control, sociability and social action and participation in clubs and societies, the Ministry said in a released.