Pupils of the Saxacalli Primary and Nursery Schools were encouraged to see themselves as environmental leaders during the launch of the ‘Saxacalli Rainforest Activity Book’ on Friday at the Saxacalli Rainforest Centre on the left bank of the Essequibo River.
The publication was officially launched by the EMC Foundation, the non-profit arm of Environmental Management Consultants (EMC), in what organisers described as a significant private-sector contribution to environmental literacy in Guyana. Delivering the keynote address was Minister of Education, Sonia Parag.
Minister Parag praised the initiative for empowering young learners to become “agents of change.”
“A leader doesn’t always look like the President or a Minister — it looks like you, whether you are six or eleven years old,” she told the pupils.
The Minister underscored that despite Guyana’s rapid economic transformation, the country’s greatest wealth remains its biodiversity and its people.
“When we are protecting our country and preserving our environment, we are protecting our wealth and our own self,” she stated.
She also referenced President Irfaan Ali’s launch of the Global Biodiversity Alliance, noting that Guyana continues to position itself as a global leader in ecosystem protection.
Friday’s event also highlighted the Foundation’s Environmental STEM (E-STEM) programme, which integrates science, technology, engineering and mathematics with environmental education. Through the programme, students are introduced to modern tools such as camera traps and digital applications to study the unique flora and fauna of the Essequibo region.
Managing Director of EMC, Shyam Nokta, reflected on his more than 20-year relationship with the Saxacalli community, commending Toshao Helen Williams and local educators for sustaining a balance between development and conservation.
A key component of the initiative is a strategic partnership with the Ministry of Education to establish and support environmental clubs in primary and secondary schools across Guyana. These clubs work closely with the Foundation to implement the E-STEM curriculum, adopting a “learn by doing” approach that transforms the rainforest into a living laboratory.
Through continued support from the Rainforest Centre, the EMC Foundation aims to equip the next generation of citizens and researchers with the skills and awareness necessary to safeguard Guyana’s environmental assets.
The launch ceremony was attended by several conservation and education stakeholders, including Ms. Alona Sankar, Commissioner of the Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission (GWCMC); Ms. Suzanne DeAbreu, Guyana STEM Initiative Lead at ExxonMobil; Mr. Ramnaresh Sarwan, former international cricketer and EMC Foundation Patron; and Ms. Sasha Lall of Hyde Park Conservation.
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