136 students will benefit from the spark programme which aims at providing young adults with an opportunity to grow their technological skills and also create economic opportunities.
The programme which is being facilitated by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with two overseas-based Guyanese was launched on Monday.
The two partners are Jason Mars who is a professor and scientist at the University of Michigan and Denise Hillman the Chief Executive Officer of the Lead Mindset leader curriculum.
The duo will be sharing their knowledge about artificial intelligence, technology and leadership.
Education Minister Priya Manickchand said this programme is important because it will not only allow students to be creators and innovators but will also develop young leaders.
“Leaders through this curriculum but leaders that can go back into your community, to your churches and your mandirs and various community groups, your schools and whatever you will do when you leave school make you into leaders that are academically sound but that also have your eye on entrepreneurship,” she said.
Minister Manickchand said she is hopeful that this programme is long-lasting so that each secondary school student can benefit.
“I hope that you exit this programme with more consciousness about how your being, your skill, your talent, your God-given abilities can be used to make changes, provide solutions and find better for yourself and this country.”
The Spark programme is available to students 16 years and older and is being rolled out in 12 Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) schools and the Government Technical Institute (GTI).
This programme will run for eight weeks and students are expected to complete six challenges. It also includes 90 minutes of leadership teaching and 90 minutes of artificial intelligence teaching.
The schools to initially benefit from this initiative include the: West Demerara Secondary School, Christianburg Wismar Secondary Schools, Queen’s College, The Bishops’ High School, Mckenzie High School, St Joseph High school, Saint Roses High School, Berbice High, New Amsterdam Multilateral School, Anna Regina Secondary, and President’s College.
Students of the Government Technical Institute and trainee teachers from the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) will also partake in the programme.
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