History made as secondary students cater COHSOD

Rather than contracting external caterers for Guyana’s hosting of the 52nd Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) – Education Meeting on August 12 and 13, the Ministry of Education used the occasion to showcase the practical value of the country’s Home Economics curriculum.

Secondary school students, under the guidance of their teachers, were entrusted with preparing and serving meals for delegates, putting their culinary skills and classroom training into practice. The initiative was a resounding success.

Participating students were drawn from several secondary schools across the country, including Dolphin Secondary, Richard Ishmael Secondary, Good Hope Secondary, Buxton Secondary, Annandale Secondary, Christ Church Secondary, St. Joseph High School, Hope Secondary and the Beterverwagting Practical Instruction Centre, among others.

While meat preparations were underway in the days leading up to the conference, the students and their teachers gathered at St. Joseph High School from as early as 5:00 a.m. to prepare snacks and full course meals, including desserts from scratch. The offerings ranged from traditional eggballs and white pudding to quiches and Chinese cakes.

The delectable lunch spread was equally impressive, fielding continuous compliments from Ministers of Education from across the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The delegates were amazed not only by the culinary experience but also by the warmth and hospitality of the servers and ushers, all of whom were secondary school students.

The initiative to have students cater meals for the conference was immensely praised, with the Honourable Sonia Parag, Minister of Education, receiving much commendation from the COHSOD members.

Today, Minister Parag met with all the students and teachers responsible for the catering to express her gratitude. “I am so incredibly proud of all of you,” she stated. Minister Parag was elated to pass on the kind words from her regional counterparts.

“They were all very impressed and could not stop talking about how delicious the food was. All of you did amazing work and I am so proud. So very proud,” Minister Parag emphasised.

The students and teachers were all presented with certificates of participation as well as tokens of appreciation for a job well done.