At 68 and 69 years old respectfully, Steven Howard and Bhanmatie Lulsaran are proving that age is no barrier to learning. They were among 47 proud participants who graduated from the Office of the Prime Minister’s Industry and Innovation Unit ICT Training Programme during a simple ceremony held at the Number 56 Primary School on Saturday.
The training programme, which forms part of the Government of Guyana’s broader push to close the digital divide, was designed to equip residents with the skills and confidence needed to navigate an increasingly digital world. From learning how to operate a computer to using essential software, participants gained new tools to enhance their education, careers, and entrepreneurial pursuits.
For Mr. Howard, a resident of Number 54 Village, this opportunity was deeply personal. “I didn’t have these opportunities growing up,” he shared. “But I refused to be left behind. I wanted to keep abreast with the world today.”
While he admitted that the practical aspects of the training posed a challenge, he embraced the theoretical components and emerged with a renewed sense of purpose. “I don’t think anyone is too old to get involved in this kind of programme,” he said. “We’re in a technological world, and it’s important to know at least a little along this line.”
Mrs. Lulsaran, 68, learned about the training a day late but wasted no time joining in. Hailing from Number 61 Village, she recalled how her younger years were filled with family and work obligations that left little room for personal growth. “But now that I have some spare time, I said, ‘Let me come out and learn something.’ And I’m so happy I did.”
Despite initial difficulties, she was guided patiently by instructors and now feels confident using a computer for the first time in her life. “No matter my age, I feel proud that I’ve learned something new,” she said with a beaming smile.
Senior Minister within the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Dr. Ashni Singh, commended the graduates for embracing the opportunity to upskill. He described lifelong learning as a journey that never truly ends.
“It doesn’t matter where you are or what your situation is in life, there will always be something new to learn,” Dr. Singh said.
Dr. Singh further noted that as the government continues to roll out digital solutions to enhance public services under President Irfaan Ali’s vision for a digital Guyana, programmes like this are critical. “ If you roll out digital solutions and the population is not equipped with digital skills to use those solutions then the effectiveness of those solutions and the objectives that president ali is seeking will not be realized.”
So far this year, the Office of the Prime Minister’s Industry and Innovation Unit has conducted five training sessions in Region Six, benefitting 187 individuals each of them now better prepared to participate in and contribute to a digitally connected future.
