| The Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) continues to create avenues for development; it once more launched another competition for children, where they were required to write about the advantages of practising good manners.According to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), GBTI, John Tracey, with the launching of the 2011 almanac in mind, the bank sought to involve children in a writing competition where they were allowed to express their thoughts and opinions about children practising good manners.Tracey, at the launching ceremony on Monday, last, stated that the idea of highlighting good manners stemmed from the present situation in Guyana, where many individuals display “bad manners” in various forms.They dump refuse from moving vehicles and on roadways; people forget the simple “please” and “thank you” when conversing with other persons and the general “good morning/afternoon” when entering or exiting a building, especially in a working environment.He explained that one of the goals of this project was that the impact of good manners be highlighted in the lives of young people and the overall development of all citizens in the country.The CEO said that in today’s society, many young people “don’t know marks of good manners” and they are not aware of the “required standards” that should be displayed at all times.Tracey added that with the launching and distribution of the 2011 almanac, persons all over the country will be able to see what is required for them to attain the standards that will make the lives of young people, more productive.He said that parents, teachers,NFL Jerseys Outlet From China, church leaders and other members in society should instill values into the lives of the future generation and also ‘practice what they preach’.Tracey said that good manners are an essential part of displaying excellent customer service and it is also required in every field of work. He explained that there were more than 200 entries for the topic, which called for a great depth of research and a lot of writing.It was a fairly difficult topic and the bank commended all of the winners and runner-ups for outstanding performances.The CEO added that the 12 children (winners and runners-up) were each featured in the 2011 almanac with pieces of their writing near to their photographs. They were also given monetary awards for their achievements.Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, who was present at Monday’s launching, stated that the theme for the competition was “very apt” especially when persons could “just glance around communities” and find many examples of bad manners being displayed.The Minister said that in many cases, children who were guilty of this did not have persons to advise them properly on how they should behave and live. He explained that there are cases even where society does not display acceptable acts, but “because it is a norm in society”, children adapt the bad habits without ever knowing that it “was not the right thing to do”.He commended GBTI on its initiative and implored the children present to “be ethical and good thinkers”.Minister Anthony added that with the “small step of the 2011 almanac” he hopes there will be “a transition from awareness (of good manners) into practising it”.The winners of the competition were La Nika Persaud of Marian Academy, Tresha Hendricks of Lusignan Primary School, Rodley Mathoo of Queenstown Secondary, Zimeena Rasheed of Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School, Gavrielle Cave of Queen’s College and Arif Allie of ISA Islamic School.Runners-up included Amolika Kanhai of Marian Academy, Kemba Brown of Green Acres Primary, Cindy Persaud of Christ Church Secondary, Terrence Walker of Genesis Early Childhood Education Centre, Yahya Haniff of ISA Islamic School and Richard Mahase of CV Nunes Primary School. |
