The Ministry of Education’s Distance Education Unit (DEU) has launched the EDPal Plus Learning App and the Media Mentorship Programme aimed at widening education access and promoting the integration of technology into teaching and learning across Guyana and the wider Caribbean.
The app is an improved version of the EDPal App launched in September 2023.
Speaking at the launch at the Ramada Georgetown Princess Hotel, EDYOU FM’s Head Phillip Williams said the unit operates on the philosophy that a person’s physical address should not determine access to educational resources.
“The platform takes EDPal to the next step to EDPal Plus. It features smoother operation and more access to information from the Ministry of Education. We are particularly proud…Now, for the first time, anybody with the app can access the seven channels right in the palm of your hands; that’s big,” Williams remarked.
He said the unit listened to the feedback after launching the first version.
“EDPal is a cornerstone of the Ministry of Education’s digital transformation in Guyana; that’s how important it is. We are proud of what we are launching today; we are happy about the foundation we have set, and that will be built upon even long after we are gone,” Williams stated.
Meanwhile, the Media Mentorship Programme brings together students from various secondary schools across Guyana for two weeks for mentorship in photography, videography, pre-production, video editing and audio production.
The programme will be supervised by various DEU team members.
Production Manager Jonathan Jacobus explained, “We wanted to take that talent and provide an avenue for younger individuals to benefit from the experience and knowledge that our creatives have to offer.”
The media mentorship programme will include a theoretical framework for various creative skills, as well as provide mentees with hands-on sessions with seasoned media professionals.
Students were taken from various secondary schools, including New Campbellville, Charity, St Ignatious, Brickdam, Bladen Hall, JC Chandisingh, Fort Wellington and West Demerara Secondary Schools.
Below are some scenes from the launch
