Best performing student Lashon Samuels received a laptop from GNBS Technical Officer Asha Sookoo
After a fierce battle, the Bygeval Secondary School emerged winners of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) Public Speaking Competition, and have been awarded a trophy and a gift voucher valued at $30,000.
This competition, hosted in collaboration with the Education Ministry, was in observance of World Standards Day (WSD) 2024; and during the competition, the Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) Department of Education was represented by the Head Teacher of Bygeval Secondary School, Lorrie Lee Farley.
Participants of the WSD Public Speaking Competition posing with GNBS staff
“Public speaking is a skill. It is one of the most important tools you will take with you into the future; and whether you’re leading a team, you’re advocating for change, or you’re simply sharing your personal story, you are practising a skill that will serve you in countless ways in your life,” Farley said.
Head of Corporate Communications at the GNBS, Lloyd David, extended gratitude to the Education Ministry for its support, and lauded the students for taking this step to improve their all-round performance.
Head Mistress of Bygeval Secondary School, Lorrie Lee Farley
He also reminded those present that “preparation is key” ahead of every activity.
The best performing student was Lashon Samuels of Bygeval Secondary, who received a laptop from the GNBS.
Samuels was asked to explain what it means to construct energy-efficient buildings, and how standards can help to build such structures for residential and commercial use.
In her response, she provided thorough examples of energy-efficient buildings across the world, and how they have contributed to efficiency, a better environment, and improved quality of life.
In a comment invited by this publication, Samuels lauded the initiative and noted that the competition helps to develop much needed public speaking skills among adolescents.
“I feel very excited to win this competition. I was nervous, and public speaking is not easy; but we went up and did our best,” she said.
Two students from each school were given questions in advance to research ahead of the competition, and had five minutes to speak on the assigned topic. Rosignol Secondary came in second and was awarded a trophy and a $20,000 gift voucher. Third place went to Fort Wellington Secondary School, which received a trophy. Bush Lot Secondary and Mahaicony Secondary were also invited to participate in the competition, but did not show up.
The judging criteria included relevance to the assigned topic, use of examples, pronunciation/ enunciation, delivery, grammar, and adherence to the time limit.
The theme for World Standards Day (WSD) 2024 is “Shared Vision for a Better World: Spotlight on SDG 9”, which addresses resilient infrastructure, inclusive and sustainable industrialization and innovation. Surrounding WSD, the GNBS observes National Quality Week (NQW) to recognize and promote awareness on standards.
The competition sought to promote awareness on the use and importance of standards to school-aged children, building a foundation for the inclusion of standards in their choices throughout adolescence and adulthood.
The competition was hosted in Region Five (Mahaica–Berbice) for participating schools Rosignol Secondary, Fort Wellington Secondary, and the host school Bygeval Secondary.
The GNBS has a list of activities planned for the remainder of National Quality Week, including a ‘Made in Guyana’ video campaign aimed at promoting locally manufactured products certified by the GNBS, and a ‘Like and Share’ social media campaign to create awareness on standards and quality.
Further, the GNBS Corporate Communications and Marketing Departments would be sharing information via newspapers, radio, television and social media, to promote inclusion in the activities. (G2)
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