CONTENT FOR GRADE 6 SOCIAL STUDIES

TERM TWO

TOPIC: Our Nation

SUB-TOPIC: Definition of Cooperatives

History of Cooperatives

Co-operatives takes place when two or more persons work

together towards a common goal.

History of Cooperatives

.The Amerindians were the first set of people that came to Guyana

and they practice cooperatives when harvesting and building

homes.

. The Africans who were freed slaves pooled their resources and

bought a number of plantations which they began to operate and

manage.

.History has recorded how they took the money they had managed

to save in wheelbarrows to pay their purchases. These plantations

bought by ex-slaves in the 1830s and 1840s were the first

cooperatives in Guyana.

.The other ethnic groups also practice cooperatives in Guyana .They

develop the villages that they live in.

.Amerindians practiced cooperation in their villages and still do

today.

Ethnic Group How they cooperated Picture

Co-operation

among the

Africans.

The Purchase of Victoria

When the slaves became

free, they no longer wished

to stay and work for their ex-

masters on the plantation.

After emancipation, they

worked for a short time on

the plantations and pooled

their wages. They used this

money to purchase

abandoned cotton

plantations. Plantation

Northbrook which they later

renamed Victoria, was the

first village they purchased.

It is said that on the day they

purchased Victoria, they

took the money to the

Plantation owners in a

wheel-barrow.

Victoria is located on the

East Coast of Demerara-

20 kilometres from

Georgetown. Victoria was

Victoria Village

purchased by the slaves in

1839. The good news of the

purchase spread rapidly.

Between the years 1839 and

1849 ex-slaves purchased

thirty-eight other

abandoned plantations.

Co-operation

among the

Portuguese

The Portuguese were the first

immigrants to labour on the

plantations in Guyana after

the slaves became free.

However, the Portuguese

did not work for many years

on the plantations. These

Portuguese workers turned

to group farming among

themselves. They also built

agricultural settlements at

Bladen Hall on the East

Coast Demerara and Port

Mourant (Portuguese

Quarters) in Corentyne.

Even the Portuguese

businesses were built by co-

(Portuguese Quarters) in

Corentyne

operative efforts and they

received help from the

European merchants,

shopkeepers and

pawnbrokers in Georgetown

and elsewhere in the

country.

Co-operation

among the

East Indians.

The East Indians worked on

the sugar plantations all

over the country. At the end

of their contract, many East

Indians settled in Guyana.

These East Indians used co-

operation as a means of

developing themselves.

‘Lend a hand' and 'Give a

hand' were used as forms of

co-operation in rice farming,

house building, digging

irrigation and drainage

canals on their land.

East Indians

co-operating.

Co-operation

among the

Chinese.

Between the years 1853 and

1912 the Chinese came to

the then colony of British

Guiana. They, like the

Portuguese, practiced co-

operation in the form of

group farming and building

settlements. Two of the

lesser known agricultural

settlements were Hope

Town and Santa Mission

along the Kamuni Creek,

Demerara River. The

Chinese also showed co-

operation in living and

trading together. Evidence

of this can be seen in

Chinese Lane, known as St.

Ann's Street, New

Amsterdam, Berbice.

.

TOPIC: Our Nation

SUB-TOPIC: Cooperative Society.

History of Co-operatives societies

.On May 8th, 1948 the Co-operative Societies Act of British Guiana

was passed.

.Today there are many registered co-operative societies in Guyana.

.The aim of these societies is to improve the living conditions of

members.

What are Co-operatives?

Co-operatives are voluntary business organizations formed by

people. Their aim is to provide goods and services cheaply and

easily for a community members.

Facts about Co-operative Societies.

• Any seven (7) persons or more can form a co-operative society.

• In a Co-operative Society no member can have more than one

vote regardless of how much money he/she puts into the society.

• Only the Registrar of Co-operatives can register a Co-operative

Society.

•No person or group of persons should use the word 'Co-operatives'

in his business unless it has been legally registered.

Types of Co-operatives Societies

Agricultural Production Co-operatives

Consumer C-operatives

Credit Unions

Fishermen‟s Co-operatives

School Thrift Society

The School Co-operative Thrift Society

In 1951 the Government through the Education Ministry started co-

operatives in schools. These schools were Philadelphia Church of

Scotland School, East Bank Essequibo, St. Swithin's Anglican School,

Vreed-en-Hoop and St. Ann's Anglican, Agricola. These co-

operatives were successful. Since 1957 there have been School Co-

operative Thrift Societies in many schools throughout Guyana.

School Co-operative Thrift Society

Members of a School Co-operative Thrift Society are pupils from

Grades 2 to 6, of a school which has a School Co-operative.

Who runs the School Co-operative Thrift Society?

. A School Co-operative Thrift Society is managed by the members

of the society. The School Co-operative Thrift Society is supervised by

a Teacher Officer.

.The members of the Society elect the officers who manage the co-

operative. These officers are the Chairman, the Secretary and the

Treasurer.

Types of savings in a School Co-operative Thrift Society.

There are two types of savings:

.Ordinary Savings are withdrawn only when a pupil leaves the

school.

. Special Savings are withdrawn periodically for special reasons. For

example, to purchase text books or uniforms of payment for

examination fees.

The funds of the society are deposited in the name of the school co-

operative at a commercial bank. The trustees- Chairman, Secretary

and Treasurer operate the bank account on behalf of the members.

TOPIC: Our Nation

SUB-TOPIC- Cooperative Society

Credit Union (Co-operative Society)

. A Credit Union is a group of people with something in common.

.The members agree to save money together and lend money to

each other when needed.

.Co-operative Credit unions have a long and honourable history.

.They have been described as unique depository institutions,

created not for profit but to serve members as credit cooperatives

by the provision of loans at low interest rates.

.They are traditionally democratically governed, each member

having one vote with a member-elected board of directors and

membership is voluntary.

.They have been described as the people‟s banks. In Guyana, they

have provided a means whereby workers can contribute an amount

each month to a fund administered by a committee appointed by

those workers. That committee from time to time on application by

workers makes loans to them from the fund.

.Perhaps the biggest credit union in this country, the Guyana Public

Service Co-operative Credit Union Limited, was established in 1963

and is registered under the Co-operative Societies.

Members of Credit Union

. Members of a Credit Union must have a common bond. They may

be employees of the same establishment e.g.

The Guyana Defense Force Credit Union. They may be

members of the same church e.g. The St. James the-Less Credit

Union.

They may be members of a particular Trade Union e.g. The

Guyana Teachers Co-operative Credit Union - Reg. 39.

The Guyana Public Service Credit Union, Amalgamated

Transport and General Workers Credit Union Reg. 749.

How the members save?

Savings is done by investing in shares on a weekly or monthly basis.

Some persons give permission for their savings to be taken out from

their salary.

How members get loans from the Credit Union

(i) A member must save regularly in the society.

(ii) Two members of the same society must sign as guarantors.

(iii) The member must satisfy the committee of management that the

loan would be used for anything for himself/herself and/or the total

welfare of his or her immediate family.

Some advantages of being a member of a Credit Union

(i) Members amass large sums of money in a relatively short time by

saving sums of money regularly.

(ii) Members can borrow any amount of money far in excess of the

number of shares they have in the society.

(iii) The rate of interest on loans is lower than that of other lending

agencies (banks, insurances).

(iv) Repayments of loans are easier.

A guarantor is someone who agrees to be

responsible for the debts that are made by

someone else. In case of any problem, the

guarantor is expected to pay the debts.

(v) There is no long waiting for loans. Some Credit Unions provide

scholarships for members or their children.

Guyana: A Co-operative Republic

A major achievement in co-operatives took place on the 23rd

February 1970 when Independent Guyana was declared a Co-

operative Republic. Co-operatives were introduced in all activities in

different parts of the country. The introduction of Co-operatives in all

parts of Guyana was to encourage Guyanese to take part in making

decisions, to help develop Guyana.

TOPIC: Our Nation

SUB-TOPIC-Forts and Monuments

A fort is a strong building or a place with a wall or fence around it

where persons can stay and be safe from the enemy.

A fort is a strongly made structure or set of structures used to defend

important places e.g. settlements, towns, and crossings.

A long time ago the Europeans who were the Dutch, French,

Spanish and English came to Guyana in search of gold.

Eventually they settled and set up trading posts and

plantations to cultivate cotton, tobacco and sugar. Those

Europeans attacked and fought one another in order to call

the colonies of the country their own. The Dutch during their

occupation and settlement in the country built forts to defend

their settlements against attacks by other countries. At the

time, Berbice, Essequibo and Demerara were separated.

Fort Information Picture of Fort

Fort

Nassau

A fort built to defend the

Dutch settlement.

Abraham Van Pere, a

Dutchman, who got

permission from the Dutch

West Indian Company

built Fort Nassau. Fort

Nassau was built in the

year 1627. It was built fifty

miles up the Berbice River.

Fort

Zeelandia

Fort Zeelandia was the first

Dutch Administrative

Headquarters.

It was built on Fort Island

in Essequibo River.

Fort Island, was once the

Dutch capital on the

colony of Essequibo.

It was built in 1744.

Fort Kyk-

over-al

Fort Kyk-Over-Al was

a Dutch fort in the colony

of Essequibo. It was

constructed in 1616 at the

intersection of the

Essequibo, Cuyuni and

Mazaruni Rivers. It once

served as the centre for

the Dutch administration

of the county, but now

only ruins are left. The

name Kyk-Over-Al derives

from the Dutch for "See

over all", a reference to

the commanding view of

the river from the fort.

TOPIC: Our Nation

SUB-TOPIC-Monuments

A monument is a type of structure created to commemorate a

person or event, or which has become relevant to a social group as

a part of their remembrance of historic times or cultural heritage.

Importance of monuments

.Monuments can be seen to withstand the test of time, created by

ancient civilizations that outlive their creators and to tell of what was

important to their culture that needed to be memorialized.

.A monument includes any building, structure, object or other work

of man or of nature whether above or below the surface of the land

or the floor of the sea within the territorial waters of Guyana and any

site, cave or excavation.

. Monuments are as varied as their creators. They represent the

hopes or aspirations of the people built to withstand the sands of

times. National monuments are the vested responsibility of the

National Trust and are gazetted as such, after cabinet has approved

them.

Monument Description /Significance Picture

1763

Monument

-Located at the head of

Brickdam, along Vlissingen Road,

D‟Urban Backlands is the 1763

Monument.

-This structure was built to

commemorate the 1763 rebellion

also known as the “Great

Rebellion” that occurred on

plantation Magdelenenburg in

Berbice, Region 6.

During the revolt, a household

slave named Cuffy from

plantation Lilienburg quickly

assumed a leading role in the

rebellion and organised a

number of riots against

plantations owners. The uprising

lasted for more than a year

before the Dutch were able to

overcome the slaves.

For Guyana‟s

10th Independence anniversary

a call was made to have a

monument erected to

commemorate the rebellion. Mr.

Phillip Moore‟s concept of the

monument was selected. The

structure was unveiled by

President Linden Forbes Sampson

Burnham on May 23, 1976.

Non-

Aligned

Monument

Located with its entrance facing

Avenue of the Republic and

borders Church Street to its north

and North Road to its south is the

Non-Aligned Monument. This

edifice was unveiled by His

Excellency, Mr. Arthur Chung, the

first President of Guyana in

honour of the founders of the

Non-Aligned Movement; these

founders are: the Presidents of

Egypt, Ghana, India and

Yugoslavia.

The monument also

commemorates the 1972

Conference (August 8-11) of

Foreign Ministers of Non-Aligned

countries, the first of its kind to be

held in Guyana. It consists of four

busts, sculpted to the likeness of

each of the founders of the

movement. The busts were

sculpted in the countries where

the men originated from.

Umana

Yana

Umana Yana is located on High

Street, Kingston, Georgetown.

The first Umana Yana to be built

in the city of Georgetown was

erected in 1972. It was designed

by Guyanese architect, Mr.

George Henry and was built on

the site of the old Marine‟s Club.

St.

George‟s

Cathedral

St. George‟s Cathedral is

considered one of Guyana‟s

most prestigious built wonders;

this edifice is located along a

roundabout on North Road in

Lacytown, Georgetown. The

cathedral was first established in

1796 and services were held in a

small court room in the Court of

Policy building. By 1805, the

church‟s membership outgrew

the small room. The current

cathedral is considered the

fourth building to be built by the

church and is considered one of

the tallest wooden churches in

the Caribbean.

TOPIC: Our Nation

SUB-TOPIC-Monuments

Monument Description /Significance Picture

State House State House, the Official

Residence of the Executive

President of Guyana is located

with its main façade facing Main

Street and borders New Market &

Carmichael Streets,

Cummingsburg, Georgetown. The

structure is sometimes addressed

as „Guyana House‟ and was

formerly known as ‘Government

House.’

Red House

(Kamana

Court)

Located at Lot 65-67 High Street,

Kingston, Georgetown is the

building known as Red House.

Red House is also known as

Kamana Court and is commonly

referred to as the Cheddi Jagan

Research Centre (CJRC) which is

currently housed at the location.

The building is a 19th century

colonial structure.

The Enmore

Martyrs'

Monument

The Enmore Martyrs' Monument is

located at Plantation Enmore,

East Coast of Demerara. This

monument was erected in honour

of the five heroic sugar workers:

Rambarran, Pooran, Lallabagee,

Surajballi and Harry, who were

killed during a massive working

class protest against the social

and economic conditions on the

East Coast sugar estates.

The George

-town

Cenotaph

The Georgetown Cenotaph is

a war memorial in Georgetown,

Guyana, located at the junction

of Main and Church Streets.

The Cenotaph was unveiled on

August 14, 1923, by the then

Governor, Graeme Thomson, and

the first Armistice Day observance

took place at the Church Street

Monument on 11 November 1923.

On the four faces of the base of

the Cenotaph are inscribed the

four words - Devotion, Humanity,

Fortitude, and Sacrifice.

The Cenotaph is a national

memorial to Guyanese soldiers

who lost their lives in

the First and Second World Wars.

Guyanese soldiers served and

fought in such far off places

as Egypt, France, Belgium,

and East Africa.

After the end of the Second

World War in 1945, Armistice Day

was renamed Remembrance

Day or Remembrance Sunday,

and observed on the first or

second Sunday of November.

Since 1956, it was internationally

agreed to observe

Remembrance Day on the

second Sunday of November.

TOPIC: Our Nation

SUB-TOPIC- Government

The Guyana Constitution

A government is a group of people with the authority to govern a

country or state; a particular ministry in office.

After independence, the Government made some new laws and

rules to govern our country. These laws were written in a book called

the People's Constitution. This new constitution is the Supreme Law of

Guyana, and it came into effect on October 6, 1980.

Some laws in the New Constitution state that:

(a) Guyana is a Co-operative Republic.

(b) The President is Head of State.

(c) Every citizen has a right to work.

(d) Citizens have a right to form political parties.

(e) Every citizen has a right to:

(i) rest, recreation and leisure.

(ii) free medical attention and also social care in case of old age

and disability.

(iii) participate in activities designed to improve the environment

and protect the health of the nation.

TOPIC: Our Nation

SUB-TOPIC- System of Government

The Electoral System

. The constitution of Guyana provides for the holding of National

and Regional Elections every five years.

.Every citizen of Guyana or a commonwealth citizen domiciled and

resident in Guyana is entitled to vote at an election once he or she is

eighteen years old and over.

.Guyanese is given the opportunity to elect the Government of their

choice. Before elections are held, an Elections Commission is set up.

.The Elections Commission is responsible for managing the General,

Regional and Local Government elections throughout the ten

administrative regions of Guyana.

Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is the entity that is

responsible for the administration and conduct of elections in

Guyana.

. GECOM is headed by a Chairman and six Commissioners. GECOM

is supported by core staff in its Secretariat.

. The work of the Commission is supplemented in its elections

preparation and administration by thousands of temporary staff.

Organizational Chart for GEOCOM

TOPIC: Our Nation

SUB-TOPIC- Functions of the Election Commission

Guyana Elections Commission is responsible for:

• the registration of electors 18 years and over, residing in Guyana.

• the conduct of Elections on Elections Day.

• ensuring that fairness, impartiality and compliance to instructions

given, are in operation on this day.

• postponing the holding of elections after discussion with the

President and Leader of the Minority in Parliament, to another day,

for the country or a specified area(s), if any ills or hardships occur.

Preparing for the Elections

Elections are usually held every five years for General and Regional

and three years for the Local Government. Just before elections, the

many political parties start their campaign. Leaders of political

parties hold meetings throughout Guyana.

Political Campaign

The politicians travel throughout the ten regions of Guyana. They tell

people about the better way of life they will provide for them, if they

are elected as the new government. Some things they promise are:

Better Infrastructures

Improved Education

Increase in salaries and wages

Increase benefits for senior citizens

TOPIC: Our Nation

SUB-TOPIC- Election Process

Elections Day

On Elections Day, voting is done at Polling Stations in all the

Administrative Regions of Guyana. Voting starts at 06:00h and ends

at 18:00h. Voting is done by secret ballot on paper provided by the

Elections Commission.

Specimen ballot paper

Polling Day Staff

Polling Stations are set up in each division of every administrative

region. Voting is done in secrecy. Some people who work at the

Polling Stations on elections day are:

• A Presiding Officer

• An Assistant Presiding Officer

• A Poll Clerk

• A Poll Agent and Accounting Clerk

• Observers

Polling Day Staff

When the Polling Station is closed, the votes are counted.

A copy of the results is posted outside of the polling station. Each

political party representatives receives a copy of the results of their

polling station. The original is sent to the Elections Commission. The

political party that secures the most votes is declared the winning

party by the Elections Commissioner. The leader of this party

becomes the President. That leader who functions as Head of State

and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces can then form the

government. The losing party or parties become the Opposition. The

leader of the losing party with the most votes becomes the Leader of

the Opposition. He or she is called the Minority Leader.

Electoral Systems

Guyana‟s elections have been conducted under two systems. Up to

1961 we used the First-Past-the Post System. In this system, the

candidate (or party) that obtains the highest number of votes in a

particular constituency wins the seat for that constituency.

From the 1964 elections, we began to use the Proportional

Representation System. In this system all the votes cast in the whole

country at the National Elections are counted. Each political party is

allocated seats in proportion to the number of votes it has obtained.

A party that has obtained 50% of the votes is allocated 50% of the

seats i.e. 20 out of 40 for the National Elections.

The national assembly shall contain sixty-five (65) elected

members under the system of Proportional Representation.

Guyana is divided into ten (10) geographical constituencies for

the purpose of electing members of the National Assembly.

Of the sixty-five (65) elected members twenty-five (25)

members come from the geographical constituency. The other

forty (40) elected members of the National Assembly are

chosen from the „national top-up lists‟.

Geographical Constituency Number of Members of the

National Assembly elected

No. 1 2

No. 2 2

No. 3 3

No. 4 7

No. 5 2

No. 6 3

No. 7 2

No. 8 1

No. 9 1

No. 10 2

Total 25

TOPIC: Our Nation

SUB-TOPIC-Central Government

Central Government

Central Government comprises the President, the Prime Minister and

other Ministers who are appointed by the President from members of

the National Assembly. The President may also appoint non-elected

ministers but these persons cannot vote in the National Assembly.

Ministers are appointed to head various ministries. Some of these are:

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Total 65 seats

Reg. #1

Reg. #2

Reg. #3

Reg. #4

Reg. #5

Reg. #6

Reg. #7

Reg. #8

Reg. #9

Reg. #10

2 seats

2 seats

3 seats

7 seats

2 seats

3 seats

2 seats

1 seat

1 seat

2 seats

PRESIDENT

Top –up

40 seats

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Ministry of the Presidency.

Ministry of Legal Affairs.

Ministry of Finance.

Function of Central Government

Legislative Arm

.Legislative Arm of the Government is responsible for marking laws

and rules.

. The National Assembly makes up the Legislative Arm. The laws and

rules formulated must be debated upon and passed in Parliament

before they can become laws.

Executive Arm

.Executive authority is exercised by the President, who appoints

and supervises the Prime Minister and other ministers of the

Cabinet. .The Executive Arm is concerned with carrying out the

laws. This is made up the various Ministries and departments, each

one concerned with a different aspect of the policies of the

government. Each ministry is headed by a Minister.

.The people who staff the ministries are called public servants.

Judicial Arm

The justice system called the Judiciary, is responsible for ensuring

the laws are carried out correctly and anyone who breaks the law

is suitably punished.

.The Judiciary is housed at the Law Courts. Judges, magistrates,

lawyers and policemen are main workers in the Judiciary.

Supreme Organs of Democratic Power

The Supreme Organs of Democratic Power are:

(i). Parliament.

(ii). The President

(iii). The Cabinet

President Parliament Cabinet

The President of the Co-

operative Republic of

Guyana is the head of

state and the head of

government of Guyana,

as well as

the Commander-in-

Chief of the armed

forces of the Republic,

according to

the Constitution of

Guyana. The president

is also the chancellor of

the Orders of Guyana.

The National

Assembly is

constituted as

Parliament when

the Executive

President is present.

Every country has a

special body of

persons who make

sure the plans of the

Government are

carried out. In

Guyana this body of

persons is called

"The Cabinet."

Our National Assembly

This body usually meets in the Parliament Buildings. It is the Law-

making body of government.

Composition of the National Assembly.

. At present, there are 65 elected members from the various political

parties. Forty are elected from the National Elections (Top-up seats)

and 25 from the Regional (Geographical) elections.

. The Executive President appoints an elected member as the Prime

Minister. The Prime Minister is the chief assistant to the President to

discharge the functions of the government in the National Assembly.

Members of the National Assembly elect a Speaker and a Deputy

Speaker.

. The Speaker is responsible for the proper conduct of business in the

National Assembly.

.The Speaker can be a non-elected member of the National

Assembly, that is, he/she may not have been elected at the polls.

Often there are Ministers who are appointed but who were not

elected at the polls. They are also called non-elected members. Our

constitution provides for four non-elected members and two

Parliamentary Secretaries.

The Speaker

The Speaker is the presiding officer of the National

Assembly in Guyana. His duties are like those of a Chairman of your

School‟s Co-operative, or your School's Parent Teachers' Association.

The Speaker directs the meetings. He has the power to discipline any

member of the National Assembly, if there is need to do so.

The Mace

.The Mace is a symbol of the authority or power of the Speaker.

Engraved on the head of the Mace is Guyana's Coat of Arms and

affixed thereto is a flag of Guyana.

.The stem has representations of the Victoria Regia Lily, the sugar-

cane and rice plants.

.Before the National Assembly starts its sessions, the Sergeant-at-

Arms of the National Assembly, enters the Parliament Chamber with

the Mace and sets it on the table in the Chamber. This tells the

Assembly that the Speaker is on his way to the Assembly. The

Speaker's decision is final.

The Mace

TOPIC: Our Nation

SUB-TOPIC- Local Government

Local Government

.Our country, Guyana is very large, and it is very difficult for one

body of persons in Georgetown to manage.

.The Local Government and the Regional Administration assist in

managing the affairs of our country. For Local Government people

are selected or elected within the area in which they live to serve on

the Local Government. They serve as chairmen, councillors, and

Captains in the case of Amerindian villages.

. They make plans for the smooth administration of these

communities. They ensure these plans are carried out. Some of these

plans are implemented by the Neighbourhood Democratic Council.

At present there are still the traditional Amerindian Village Councils.

The constitution makes provision as well for Village Councils. The City

and other towns are not part of the Regional System. They are run by

the Mayors and Councils. They are called Municipalities. However,

they work along with the Regions. The Amerindian Reservations and

settlements also work along with the Regions.

Regional Officers

Here are some important workers in the Regional Office.

Workers Functions

Regional Chairman Makes Central Government

aware of problems in the region.

Ensures that decisions arrived at,

are carried out.

Regional Councillors Ensures that decisions arrived at,

are carried out.

Regional Executive Officer

The Chief Government Officer in

the region. Responsible for the

administration of Government's

policies in the region.

Regional Education Officer Looks after all aspects of

education in the region

Regional Medical Officer Monitors health facilities in the

region.

TOPIC: Our Nation

SUB-TOPIC- National Budget

A national budget is a financial statement that gives any estimate of

the planned revenue and planned expenditure of the government

for one particular financial year.

Objective of Government Budget

Some of the important objectives of government budget are as

follows:

1. Reallocation of Resources

2. Reducing inequalities in income and wealth

3. Economic Stability

4. Management of Public Enterprises

5. Economic Growth

6. Reducing regional disparities.

Revenue

Revenue is the income of a government from taxation, excise duties,

customs, or other sources, appropriated to the payment of the

public expenses.

Ways Government obtain Revenue

Expenditure

The money that government spend on services and other areas is

called expenditure.

Areas of Expenditure of the Government.

TOPIC: Nation

SUB-TOPIC How We Protect Ourselves.

Our Police Force

The Guyana Police was established on the 1st July, 1839. It was then

known as the British Guiana Police Force. Before Independence, the

Force was managed by a Commissioner who was not a Guyanese.

He was sent to Guyana by the King or Queen of England who ruled

the country at that time. After Independence, the Police Force was

managed by a Guyanese.

Benefits of the Police Force

Our country has rules and regulations. These must be observed by

every citizen. The Police Force ensures that citizens obey these rules

and regulations, that is, they do not break the law. If they do break

the laws the police places them before the courts.

Other ways in which a Police Force helps a country are by:

- preventing citizens from taking the laws into their own hands.

- encouraging citizens to make their complaints at a police station.

- providing citizens with police protection so that they would be

encouraged to be involved in business.

-maintaining law and order in the country.

TOPIC: How We Protect Ourselves.

SUB-TOPIC -Our Defence Force

Our Defence Force

Before Independence, our Defence Force was known as the British

Guiana Volunteer Force. It contained no females. Only males were

accepted for training in this organisation. The volunteers did drills and

were taught to use weapons. In 1964, Premier Cheddi Jagan formed

the Special Service Unit (S.S.U.). This was made up of members of the

Volunteer Force and senior officers of the Police Force. They were

based at the Rifle Ranges, which is now known as Camp

Ayanganna. On the 1st November, 1965 this same organisation

became the Guyana Defence Force. Its first Chief of Staff was a

British Officer, Colonel Pope. Today males as well as females can join

the Guyana Defence Force. Since Independence, the Head of the

army has been a Guyanese. That person is known as the Chief-of-

Staff and Head of the Army. The President of our country is the

Commander-in-Chief. He is the only person who can give orders to

the Chief-of-Staff. The main Headquarters of the army is at Base

Camp Ayanganna, Thomas Lands, Georgetown. Other important

centres are Camp Tacama, Berbice River and Camp Stephenson

next to our International Airport.

Our Courts and Corrective Institutions

Some people feel the court is a place where only punishment and

hardships are given out. It is not so. Your home and your school have

rules and regulations. According to the offence, persons are alleged

to have committed, they are charged by a police officer and are

summoned to appear before the Magistrate and/or Judge to be

discipline.

Scale of Justice

Courts in Guyana

The Magistrate's Court

The Magistrate's Court has limited powers. Only cases such as minor

traffic offences, disorderly behaviour, and land cases are tried here.

The High Court

This Court deals with murder, rape, treason and other grave

offences, In the Supreme Court, a group of twelve persons called

Jurors decide whether a person or persons is/are guilty or innocent. If

guilty, the Judge then passes sentence on the offender(s).

The Appeal Court

The Appeal Court is the highest court of Guyana. This court hears

appeals from persons who may have lost a case in a lower court. This

Appeal Court can change the decisions made by a magistrate or

judge in the Magistrate's or Supreme (High) Courts.

Corrective Institutions in Guyana

Prison

Prison is an institution set up by the Government to instill corrective

behaviour in offenders of the law.

Camp Street Prison

New Opportunity Corps.

Some children in society do not attend school. During the day they

can be seen wandering on the streets. Sometimes they commit

crimes. When they are held by the police, they are 'passed through'

the courts. The courts may order that they be taken to the New

Opportunity Corps. This is a place of correction for youths under 18

years of age. Offenders attend school there and are taught different

skills. With these skills it is hoped that they can carry on a business or

find a job easily. There will be no need to steal or do wrong acts, in

order to live.

New Opportunity Corps.

TOPIC: Natural Disasters

Disaster is a sudden accident or a natural catastrophe that causes

great damage or loss of life.

A natural disaster is a major adverse event resulting from natural

processes of the earth. A natural disaster can cause loss of life or

damage to property. For example:

Floods

Hurricanes

Tornadoes

Volcanic Eruptions

Earthquakes

Tsunamis

Types of Natural Disasters.

Hurricanes

Hurricanes are large, swirling storms with winds of 119 kilometers per

hour (74 mph) or higher. The storms form over warm ocean waters

and sometimes strike land. When a hurricane reaches land, it pushes

a wall of ocean water ashore. This wall of water is called a storm

surge, which along with heavy rain can cause flooding, especially

near the coast.

Once a hurricane forms, weather forecasters predict its path and

how strong it will get. This information helps people prepare for the

storm before it arrives.

Stages of Hurricanes in the Caribbean.

Stage I: Hurricane Watch

Hurricane watch means a hurricane may hit an area.

Stage II: Hurricane Warning means a hurricane is heading for an

area.

Stage III: Radio and television help, “Radio and television keep

people informed about the weather conditions. The announcements

tell the people what to do. They may be told which areas to

evacuate until the winds or storms have ceased and which buildings

are to be used as shelters.

Hospitals and their Workers Help

Hospitals are very important. When people are hurt or injured, the

hospitals must be working well to take care of them. Every worker at

the hospitals should know exactly what he or she must do when

disaster strikes.

• Each hospital must be checked to make sure the building, roof

and windows are strong enough to withstand a hurricane.

• Announcements must be made so that the road to the hospital is

kept clear and free from parked cars, buses and vans.

• The hospital must also have extra stocks of foods, drugs and water

supplies. It should also have a generator for supplying electricity.

Rebuilding after a Tropical Storm

When a tropical storm hits an area, the lives of people are affected.

Communities are left without potable water, electricity supply, and

transportation is disrupted. People are left homeless and without

food. Sometimes schools, offices and work-sites are forced to close

after destruction.

Aftermath of Hurricane

TOPIC: Natural Disasters

SUB-TOPIC: Volcanoes

A volcano is an opening in the earth's surface through which melted

rocks known as lava, ashes and gases, escape through the opening

with explosive force. Volcanoes exist in three different states.

These states are active, dormant and extinct.

An active volcano can come to life or erupt at any time.

A dormant volcano is quiet or inactive for a period.

An extinct volcano can no longer come to life, or erupt.

In many parts of the world including the Caribbean volcanoes are

active, dormant or extinct.

Some of the volcanoes of the Caribbean are South Soufriere in

Monsterrat, Mount Pele of Martinique, Mount Soufriere of St. Vincent

and Soufriere of St. Lucia.

Aftermath of volcanoes

Earthquakes

An earthquake is an intense shaking of the earth‟s surface. The

shaking is caused by movements in the earth‟s outermost layer.

Why Do Earthquakes Happen?

Although the earth looks like a pretty solid place from the surface, it‟s

actually extremely active just below the surface. The earth is made

of four basic layers: a solid crust, a hot, nearly solid mantle, a liquid

outer core and a solid inner core.

A diagram of earth's layers

Earthquakes have destroyed many Caribbean cities, towns and

villages in the last three hundred years; for example Port Royal,

Jamaica in 1692, Caracas Venezuela in 1812. In 1843 earthquake

levelled buildings in Guadeloupe and killed a third of the local

population. In Guatemala in 1976, an earthquake left nearly 23,000

dead and billions of dollars in damages.

Earthquakes usually take place in special areas of the earth. They

sometimes come without warning. If an earthquake occurs now, you

would be surprised. Some people would panic.

Here are some things your teacher could do to prepare you, for an

earthquake:

• Gather the pupils of her class

.• Discuss what you could do if an earthquake strike.

• Select a place where everyone would meet to practise

earthquake drills.

• Name one or more safety spots in each room of your school.

• Practise first-aid and how to use a fire extinguisher,

• Make a list of essential things which should be kept in school. e.g.

bottled water, flashlights and radios (extra batteries too), essential

medications.

What do you do when the shaking is over?

• Still remain calm

• Find out if anyone was injured

• Give first-aid

• Listen to the radio for instructions

Here are other things your teacher should do:

• Inspect the building for damages

• Listen to the radio or television for instructions

• Advise you if it is safe for you to go home alone.

• Assist you if you are told to evacuate the area.

• Assist you to go to a shelter, if your school and/or home is unsafe.

Tsunamis are giant waves caused by earthquakes or volcanic

eruptions under the sea. Out in the depths of the ocean, tsunami

waves do not dramatically increase in height.

Aftermath of a Tsunami

Forest Fire

These fires occur in forests, shrub lands and grasslands. Some are

uncontrolled wildfires started by lightning or human carelessness. A

small number are prescribed fires set by authorized forest managers

to mimic natural fire processes that renew and maintain healthy

ecosystems.

Forest fire

Floods

Flood is an overflow of water that submerges land that is usually

dry. Flood is an area of study in the discipline of hydrology. It is the

most common and widespread natural severe weather

event. Floods can look very different because flooding covers

anything from a few inches of water to several feet. Floods are

often caused by heavy rainfall, rapid snowmelt or a storm surge from

a tropical cyclone or tsunami in coastal areas. Some floods are

caused by humans. When kokers are left open it can cause flooding.

Flood

Effects of floods

In Guyana, flooding generally causes damage to property and

infrastructure, and agricultural losses.

Flooding also increases the risk of waterborne diseases.

However, the worst recorded flood event in Guyana in

January, 2005 resulted in several deaths due to Leptospirosis.

Lost of livestock due to drowning

Water is often contaminated during flooding making it difficult

to get potable water.

The agricultural sector is mostly affected since there are

damages to crops and loss of livestock. This has a direct impact

on the country‟s economy which is Agri-based.

The issue of Flash Floods is exacerbated along coastal Guyana

due to a poorly maintained drainage system and the

indiscriminate disposal of solid waste into the drainage system.

Chickens died from flooded waters

Picture of a flooded area on the Coastland.

Reducing Flood Effects

- Cleaning drain

- Planting trees

- Building kokers

- Stopping water pollution

TOPIC: Weather and Climate

SUB-TOPIC: Difference between weather and climate

A weather pattern occurs when the weather stays the same for days

or weeks at a time. The patterns of weather are tied to the four

seasons: summer, winter, spring, and fall. There are a few

different weather patterns that you may already know about, such

as hot and dry, wet and rainy, or cold.

Meteorologist is a person who study the weather. He/she works at

the meteorological station.

Meteorologist

Weather Patterns

Seasons

Summer Winter

Autumn Spring

Weather Inst ruments

TOPIC: Weather and Climate

SUB-TOPIC-Clothing Worn for the Different Seasons

People are required to wear different clothing for the different

seasons.

Spring Clothing

TOPIC: Weather and Climate

SUB-TOPIC- Effects of Weather and Climate

There are many factors that will be affected by climate change

including rising sea levels, drought and loss of agricultural land.

.Increasing temperatures caused by climate change will make the

water of the oceans expand; ice melting in the Antarctic and

Greenland will also contribute to the rising sea level.

.Sea levels could rise by as much as 25 to 50 cm, by the year 2100.

Greater sea levels will threaten the low-lying coastal areas such as

the Netherlands and Bangladesh, millions of areas of land will be at

danger from flooding; causing people to leave their homes. Low

lying areas in cities will be hugely affected by the rising sea.

.Changes in weather will affect many crops grown around world.

Crops such as wheat and rice grow well in high temperatures, while

plants such as maize and sugarcane prefer cooler climates.

Changes in rainfall patterns will also affect how well plants and crops

grow. The effect of a change in the weather on plant growth may

lead to some countries not having enough food. Brazil, parts of

Africa, south-east Asia and China will be affected the most and

many people could be affected by hunger.

.All across the world, there is a big demand for water and in many

regions, such as the central and eastern Africa there is not enough

water for the people. Changes in the climate will change the

weather patterns and will bring more rain in some countries, but

others will have less rain, generally dry areas will become drier and

wet areas could become wetter.

.As climate change takes place, our daily weather and normal

temperatures will change, the homes of plants and animals will be

affected all over the world. Polar bears and seals are examples of

animals that will be affected by climate change. They will have to

find new land for hunting and living, if the ice in the Arctic melts, but

the fact is more real that these species could become extinct.

.Climate changes will affect everyone, but some populations will be

at greater risk. Countries whose coastal regions have a large

population, such as Egypt and China, may have to move

populations inland to avoid flooding.

The effect on people will depend on how well we can adapt to the

changes and how much we can do to reduce climate change in

the world.