Post on 30-Nov-2021
TOPIC: Weather and Climate (Natural Regions of Guyana)
SUB-TOPIC: Natural Regions and their Climatic Conditions.
There are four Natural Regions of Guyana.
One of the main reason for the country to be divided in Natural Regions is
because of the different climatic conditions they experience during the
year.
The Natural Regions are:
The Low Coastal Plain
The Hilly Sand and Clay Region
The Forested Highland Region
The Interior Savannahs
Map showing the Natural Regions of Guyana.
Natural Regions Climate Other Patterns
The Low Coastal Plain 2 wet and 2
dry seasons
Enjoys the cooling breezes
of the North-East trade
winds all year round.
The Hilly Sand and Clay Region
One dry & one
wet season.
Hot days and cold nights.
The Forested Highland Region Rainfall all year
round.
Hot wet
climate.
Hotter days and Cooler
night.
.
The Interior Savannahs 6 months
rainfall and
6 months
sunshine.
Cool throughout the day.
Facts about weather and climate.
Weather is used to describe the conditions of the atmosphere over a short
period e.g. a day or a week.
Climate is used to describe the average conditions of the atmosphere for
long periods e.g. a number of years.
Climate is an important factor in the daily life of every person in Guyana.
The people in every Natural Region in Guyana is accustomed to the
climatic condition all year around and build their livelihood around it.
Lying near the equator, Guyana has a tropical climate, and temperatures
do not vary much throughout the year.
The year has two wet seasons, from December to early February and from
late April to mid-August.
Although the temperature never gets dangerously high, the combination
of heat and humidity can at times seem oppressive.
The entire area is under the influence of the northeast trade winds, and
during the midday and afternoon sea breezes bring relief to the coast.
Temperatures in Georgetown are quite constant, with an average high of
32 °C (89.6 °F) and an average low of 24 °C (75.2 °F) in the hottest month
(July), and an average range of 29 to 23 °C (84.2 to 73.4 °F) in February,
the coolest month.
Humidity in the interior is also slightly lower.
Rainfall is heaviest in the interior. Annual averages on the coast near the
Venezuelan border are near 2,500 millimetres (98.4 in), farther east at New
Amsterdam, between 2,000 and 1,500 millimetres (78.7 and 59.1 in) in
Guyana’s Rupununi Savannah.
Areas on the northeast sides of mountains that catch the trade winds
average as much as 3,500 millimetres (137.8 in) of precipitation annually.
Coastal areas have a second rainy season from November through
January.
Guyana is not affected by hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes or
volcanoes and although the rains are sometimes delayed, prolonged or
severe droughts are relatively rare.
Changes in weather patterns due to climate change
Over the last century, Guyana has experienced significant changes in its
climate.
The records suggest an increase by 1.0°C of the mean annual
temperature within the last century.
In recent years, there has been many extreme weather events that have
resulted in high levels of flooding especially along the coast and in some
inland areas.
In Guyana, it is projected that by the end of this century, temperatures
can increase by up to 4°C and weather patterns will become more
extreme.
Sea level is projected to rise at a rate of 1cm per year, about 40cm-60cm
by the end of the 21st century.
Such rise in sea level will flood wetlands and lowlands; accelerate coastal
erosion; increase coastal flooding; threaten or destroy coastal structures;
raise water tables etc.
Coastal Erosion
Destruction to Coastal Sea Defense Structure
Adapting to Climate Change
Adapting to climate change is one of the biggest challenges for Guyana.
Guyana’s challenges are further enlarged with 90% of its population
residing on the low coastal plain; main agricultural lands; and all major
administrative, economic, services and infrastructure facilities.
The coast is also relatively flat, which favours rapid accumulation of
rainfall runoff, and which makes natural drainage into the ocean very
difficult. This situation presents severe challenges to the drainage and
irrigation system.
Over the years, high levels of flooding were observed in the country
especially along the coast and in some inland areas.
Climate change is likely to increase the frequency and intensity of
flooding events.
Approximately 75% of the country’s economic activities are located on
the coastal area, where the major economic activities, such as
agriculture, fisheries and industries are found. These sectors are extremely
sensitive to extreme weather conditions and rise in sea-level and are
therefore highly vulnerable to climatic change.
The country has already suffered greatly over the last decade from
weather related disasters.
In December 2004 and January 2005, an unusual weather system
produced heavy rains which led to major flooding resulting in severe
physical damage and economic loss to the country, leading to the worst
flooding event ever recorded in Guyana’s history.
The 2005 flood was concentrated in the most heavily populated regions of
the country, resulting in some 274,774 persons or 37% of the national
population being severely affected by the flood waters.
The flooding event claimed the lives of persons.
Although the country is very rich in natural resources, its economic base is
very narrow with a strong dependence on a very small range of primary
products for export. Nevertheless, despite its high vulnerability to the
impacts of climate change, Guyana has been undertaking significant
efforts at the national and international level to ease the effects.
In 2010, the Government of Guyana launched the Guyana’s Low Carbon
Development Strategy (LCDS).
The LCDS is an approach to address climate change. The LCDS aims to
protect and maintain the forests in an effort to reduce global carbon
emissions and at the same time attract payments from developed
countries for the climate services that the forests provide to the world.
Payments will be invested to foster growth and development along a low
carbon emissions path.
TOPIC: Weather and Climate (Natural Regions of Guyana)
SUB-TOPIC: Weather and Related Activities
Natural Regions Crops/Resources Activities done during
the wet/dry season.
Low Coastal Plain Rice, sugar-cane, etc. Agriculture, poultry
rearing
Hilly Sand and Clay
Region.
Pine-apple, citrus fruits,
ground nuts, etc.
Agriculture, logging,
mining, etc.
Forested Highland
Region.
Timber, balata, minerals
etc.
Logging, balata
bleeding, mining etc.
Interior Savannahs Cattle, ground
provisions, peanuts etc.
Cattle rearing, peasant
farming, etc.
Low Coastal Plain.
On the Coastal Plain during the dry seasons farmers have to get water for
their crops. Irrigational canals have to bring water to the land in the dry
season.
In the wet season the excess water has to be drained from the land by
pumps.
Rice cultivation depends heavily on the knowledge of the weather.
Farmers must know when to reap and sow their crop.
During the period of the wet season planting is done while reaping is done
during the dry season.
Draining the land
Reaping rice Sowing the seeds (paddy)
Forested Highland Region
On the Forested Highland Region the heat, along with heavy rainfall
influences forest growth. Plant life is highly favoured by this type of
climate.
Forest growth
Interior Savannahs
In the Interior Savannahs the rainfall pattern helps to determine the types
of plant which can be grown in this area.
High temperature causes tropical vegetation/forests.
Lack of moisture during the dry season results in grasslands – clumps, wiry
and tough.
In the dry season, wetland areas recede and the landscape becomes
open savannahs.
Soils in the open savannahs are poor in nutrients and therefore not well
suited for large-scale agriculture.
Getting crops to produce sufficient food would require the application of
massive amounts of fertilizers and other chemicals, which could lead to
pollution of freshwater.
Wetlands.
The Southern Rupununi Savannah undergoes a remarkable
transformation during the rainy season.
Permanent wetlands expand reaching their fullest and vast areas
flood, becoming huge seasonal wetlands. These wetlands absorb, filter
and store vast amounts of freshwater.
Clumps
Hilly Sand and Clay Area
The Hilly Sand and Clay Region is mostly covered in scrub, medium height
vegetation and hardwood due to the climatic conditions they
experience.
TOPIC: Weather and Climate (Natural Regions of Guyana)
SUB-TOPIC: Effects of weather conditions on the Natural Regions.
Natural Regions of
Guyana
Effects of weather
conditions
Picture
Low Coastal Plain
-People’s lives are
affected by flooding
and high
temperature.
-High temperature is
reduced by the use of
fans or by air
conditioning units.
However, this would
lead to higher
Flooding
electricity bills.
People have to wear
clothing made from
cotton materials that
are loosely fitting to
keep them cool from
the hot weather.
Fans use in homes
Hilly Sand and Clay
Region.
People, crops and
livestocks are affected
by floods, and forest
fires.
Movement is
restricted.
Animals are removed
to higher ground for
safety.
Forest fires
Forested Highland
Region.
-. Large swamps,
dense forest and high
lands which make the
construction of roads
difficult and expensive
to build.
-Makes the movement
of goods and services
difficult due to poor
and inadequate trails,
etc.
Construction of roads is difficult
and expensive.
Hilly Sand and Clay
Region.
-Floods, rivers
overflow, swamps and
rapid growth of
vegetation.
-Pollution of rivers.
-Restricted
movement.
-Threat of diseases
e.g. malaria from the
mosquitoes.
Poisoning from
drinking polluted
water.
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 who 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 for the land they purchased. These plantations bought by
the 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 was the first
plantation they bought
which they later renamed
Victoria. It is said that on the
day they purchased Victoria,
Victoria Village
Co-operation
among the
Portuguese
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
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.
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
(Portuguese Quarters) in
Corentyne.
Co-operation
among the
East Indians.
Co-operation
among the Chinese.
Mourant (Portuguese
Quarters) in Corentyne. Even
the Portuguese businesses
were built by co-operative
efforts and they received
help from the European
merchants, shopkeepers and
pawnbrokers in Georgetown
and elsewhere in the
country.
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.
Between the years 1853 and
1912 the Chinese came to
the then colony of British
East Indians
Co-operating.
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 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
1. Financial and credit co-operative e.g Credit union, school thrift societies.
2. Agricultural Production Co-operatives
3. Consumer C-operatives
4. Retail and distribution co-operatives
5. Service co-operatives.
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.
1. The Guyana Defense Force Credit Union. They may be members of the
same church e.g. The St. James the-Less Credit Union.
2. They may be members of a particular Trade Union e.g. The Guyana
Teachers Co-operative Credit Union - Reg. 39.
1. 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).
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.
(iv) Repayments of loans are easier.
(v) There is no long waiting for loans. Some Credit Unions provide scholarships for
members or their children.
Banks and Co-operatives
The Guyana National Co-operative Bank was established on 24TH February, 1970.
Two other banks were also established. They were the Guyana Co-opeative
Mortgage Finance Bank and the Guyana Agricultural Co-operative
Development Bank .These were set up in order that these co-operative could
borrow enough money to operate effectively.
Training in Co-operatives
There are also places of training to train persons to manage these co-
operatives. These are the Kuru-Kuru Co-operative College which was
established in July, 1973 and the Co-operative Training Institution. The Kuru-Kuru
Co-operatives College is found on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway. Students are
able to live there while they receive their training.
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.
Facts on Co-operatives
Co-operative institutions are essential, particularly to the village
movement, and the supporting of small businesses, however, they must
take up strict guidelines that needs to be respected by its participants, if
they are to survive and thrive.
Cooperatives are considered an engine for affording opportunities for
those who may not be able to access financing otherwise.
In Guyana, plantations bought by ex-slaves in the 1830s and 1840s are
considered to be the first form of cooperatives.
The buying of the plantations also marked the start of the village
movement. Immediately post slavery, the freed Africans came together
and pooled their pennies, carrying them in wheelbarrows, buckets, and
any available container to purchase plantations and convert same to
villages, which they owned together.―Cooperativism was the salvation of
village organisations.
Credit unions, box hand, co-operative societies, and penny banks are
some forms of co-operatives in Guyana .
Co-operativism in Guyana took off in the 1970, and played a part in the
country being named a Co-operative Republic.
Hundreds of co-operative societies were established to support the
farming, agro-processing, consumer marketing, and the transportation
sector, reaching as many as 1440 cooperative societies in 1989.
However, following an assessment by the Ministry of Social Protection in
2016, it was revealed that of the 1268 cooperative societies registered,
only approximately eight per cent were functioning in an accountable
manner.
Many were plagued with issues of lack of accountability and
transparency. Several state institutions were also set up including the
Guyana National Cooperative Bank (GNCB), which was sold in 2002 to a
commercial bank.
There were also the Guyana Agricultural and Industrial Development
Bank (GAIBANK), which was closed in the early 1990s, and there is the
Kuru-Kuru Co-operative College, which still remains in operation.
Many of the institutions were set up to support persons with finances in the
acquisition and ownership of land, education, homes, vehicles, business
and other forms of investment.
―Co-operatives are important for farming, marketing, exportation, getting
raw materials and commodities, fertilizers etc.
Over the past few years there have been steps to reinvigorate
cooperatives in Guyana. In 2017 the Guyana National Cooperative Union
Limited was resuscitated, which is responsible for overseeing the co-
operative movement in Guyana.
TOPIC-Health and Safety
SUB-TOPIC-Keeping Our Environment Healthy
All of man’s activities whether in the homes, factories or on the farms, produce
some amount of wastes. We must manage these wastes so as to maintain a
healthy environment.
Ways in which wastes are generated.
When mother prepares meal, she gathers wastes from vegetables,
condiments and processed foods.
When seamstress and tailors sew, there are always left –overs or pieces of
cloth and ends of thread.
The farmers after cleaning and preparing their garden plots, gather tree
trimmings. These can be used as firewood for cooking.
Even the smoke which comes from the baker shop’s chimney is waste.
Managing Refuse.
In most villages and scattered rural communities, the households may be
responsible for the disposal of their own refuse.
Quite often it is burnt or buried.
In cities, towns and some villages, the Town Council or Village Council
provides the service of refuse disposal. In communities such as these, the
refuse is collected and disposed of, by means of incinerating or land
filling.
Garbage collection in City
Using the Incinerators
Incinerators are mostly found in the city and other towns. They could be
large or small.
Refuse from households, factories, hospitals, abattoirs, markets and other
places around the city is taken by special vehicles to the incinerators
where they are burnt regularly.
Public Health Laws require that refuse from institutions such as health
centers, hospitals and abattoirs must be burnt in an incinerator. This is
necessary to prevent the spread of infectious and harmful diseases.
Incinerator
Using Landfills
Using a landfill for refuse disposal serves a double purpose:
(1) It is a way of getting rid of refuse.
(2) It could be means of building up low-lying surface.
In low – lying areas the surface is graded to a certain dept.
The refuse is dumped and compressed. When there is enough refuse, the
dump is covered.
From time to time the dump is treated with chemicals.
When completed, this area is planted with grass.
If properly prepared, this method of refuse disposal is free from dust, flies
and other nuisance.
Landfills
Ways to Keep the Environment Clean
Ways to Keep the
Environment Clean
Description Example
Stop pollution Ensure that you do not
pollute the environment.
Make sure your
wastes go to the
right place.
Do your best to ensure
the wastes you dispose of
ends up where it should.
Recycle materials in your
area.
To prevent your garbage
from ending up in the
environment keep a lid
on your trash can when it
is outside.
Make a Compost. Composting at home
reduces the volume of
garbage sent to landfills
and reduces the chance
of some products
becoming marine debris.
Plant trees
Volunteer in
cleaning up
exercises in the
community.
Planting trees will beautify
the environment. It will
also reduce the carbon
dioxide in the
environment.
Volunteer to be a part of
cleaning up exercises in
the community.
Reuse Materials.
Remember to bring
reusable bags to the
grocery stores or for any
other shopping activities.
This will help to reduce
the consumption of
disposable bags.
Acquiring a reusable
water bottle would not
only greatly reduce the
amount of single-use
plastic you use, but it
would also save you
money in the long run.
TOPIC-Health and Safety
SUB-TOPIC-Pollution
Pollution happens when the environment is contaminated by wastes, chemicals,
and other harmful substances. The main forms of pollution are land, water, air
and noise.
Air Pollution
Air pollution is the contamination of the air.
Wildfires, volcanoes, and industrial chemicals cause air pollution.
Most air pollution comes from the burning of fossil fuels. These include
coal, oil, and natural gas. Factories, electrical plants, and automobiles
burn these fuels for power.
The burning of fossil fuels may release solid particles, such as ash and soot,
into the air. It also may release harmful gases.
This type of pollution may be seen in the form of smog over big cities.
Smog-filled air is hazy, or hard to see through.
Air pollution may cause diseases such as cancer, bronchitis and asthma.
Air pollution also leads to acid rain, or polluted rain that can harm living
things.
In addition, air pollution may be a cause of global warming, which is a
steady rise in Earth’s average temperature.
Finally, air pollution damages a part of the atmosphere called the ozone
layer.
The ozone layer is important because it protects Earth against harmful
rays from the sun.
Water Pollution
Water pollution occurs when harmful substances such as chemicals or
microorganisms contaminate a stream, river, lake, ocean, or other body
of water, degrading water quality and rendering it toxic to humans or the
environment.
Causes of water pollution
Some causes of water pollution are easy to see. People dump garbage
and sewage into creeks, rivers, ponds, lakes, and oceans. Factories or
cities sometimes release oils, poisonous chemicals, and other wastes into
water.
Other causes of water pollution are not so direct. The use of chemicals in
farming is one example. Farmers use chemicals such as fertilizers, or any
other substance to the soil to help crops grow. They also use other
chemicals such as pesticides or herbicides. These are substances that kill
pests or weeds. When these chemicals seep into the ground, they may
make the groundwater unfit to drink.
Chemicals also may drain into rivers and lakes, where they can harm fish
and other aquatic life.
Toxic household and industrial wastes released into water bodies also
pollute the water.
Other sources include oil spills and marine dumping in sea water causes
pollution and affects marine life.
Effects of water pollution.
It may lead to a number of diseases like cholera, diarrhea and typhoid.
It may cause harm to fishes and other aquatic life.
Land Pollution
Littering, or tossing garbage on the ground, is a form of land pollution.
Litter is unpleasant to look at, it can also destroy the habitats / homes, of
plants and animals.
The buildup of dangerous chemicals in the ground is another form of land
pollution. The chemicals may come from farms or factories. These
chemicals can spread to plants and animals. They may even harm
people who consume the contaminated plants and animals.
Dumping of solid wastes such as plastic bags, glass bottles and metal
containers.
The soil gets polluted by chemicals in pesticides and herbicides when
used for agricultural purposes along with waste matter being littered in
urban areas such as roads, parks and streets.
Noise pollution
Noise pollution is a threat to health and a nuisance to quietness and
happiness. It is a destroyer of peace and poison to a healthy existence.
Noise can be defined as any undesirable sound. Noise is measured in
decibel units (dB).
Causes of noise pollution
Traffic build up – when there is a long stream of traffic motorists tend to
honk their horns constantly. This behaviour can result in noise pollution.
Aircraft – noise pollution occur at landing and taking off time.
Industrial operations can cause noise pollution, factory equipment,
generators, electric saws, drills and other machines when in use produce
loud sounds that are unpleasant to the ears.
High volume of music from stereo sets and motor vehicles.
Effects of Noise pollution
It can cause damage to the microscopic cells in the inner ears, thus
resulting in deafness.
It can also cause tension headaches.
People can become irritable and often behave irrationally.
It can cause stress and sets people’s nerves on edge both physically and
emotionally.
Controlling Pollution
Many governments, environmental groups, and ordinary people are
working to control pollution.
Governments have passed laws to keep people from releasing dangerous
chemicals into the environment.
Government imposed fines for littering.
Some companies and people are trying to use fewer fossil fuels. Instead
they are getting power from sunlight, wind, water, and other energy
sources that produce less pollution.
Many communities use recycling to reduce pollution. Recycling is the
process of making new products out of used paper, plastic, glass,
aluminum, or other materials.
TOPIC: - Health and Safety
Sub-Topic-Drugs
A drug is a substance which, when taken into the body, modifies the
body’s function either physically or psychologically. Drugs affects your
mind and body. Some drugs are beneficial, while others are harmful.
How drugs are taken
People take drugs in different ways. Some Common methods include:
Swallowing tablets or drinking liquids — the body absorbs the drug
through the stomach lining.
Inhalation — the body absorbs the drug through the lining of the lungs.
Snorting into the nose — the body absorbs the drug through the thin nasal
lining.
Injecting — the user injects the drug directly into the bloodstream
Through the skin — the body slowly absorbs the drug from a cream or
patch.
Type of drug Effect on the body Example
Depressant Slows down nerve and brain
activity.
Type of drug Effect on the body Example
Alcohol
Hallucinogen Alters what we see and
hear.
Salvia
Painkiller Blocks nerve impulses.
Aspirin, paracetamol
Performance
enhancer
Improves muscle
development.
Anabolic steroids
Stimulant Increases nerves and brain
activities. Nicotine, caffeine, ecstasy
Type of drug Effect on the body Example
Classification of drugs
Drugs are classified as:
legal drugs
Illegal drugs
Legal drugs
Drugs are of two types- legal and illegal drugs.
Legal drugs can either be bought over-the-counter or with a prescription from a
medical doctor. Some prescription drugs are misused and taken for recreational
use, rather than for medical reasons.
Examples of Over-the Counter Drugs
Illegal drugs
Illegal drugs cannot legally be manufactured, bought or sold.
Some examples of illegal drugs are:
Cannabis (Marijuana)
Cocaine
Ecstasy
Hallucinogens
Heroin
Ketamine
Methamphetamine
Why people use drugs
People use drugs for several reasons. These are:
Wanting to fit in
Peer pressure
Curiosity and to experiment
Relaxation
To be in control
To rebel
Misinformation or ignorance
To enhance performance
What is addiction?
'Addiction' is a mental disorder characterized by compulsive consumption or
behaviours despite the negative
consequences.
When someone first starts to use drugs, it is
called substance abuse. We say someone is an
addicted to drugs when they have no control
over whether they want to use the drug or not.
That person feels that they must have that drug.
Types of addiction
There are two types of addiction.
Physical addiction is when a person's body becomes
dependent on something.
After a while that person's body craves more and
more for it, so he/she can just feel and function
normally.
Trying to give up can make that person suffer
withdrawal symptoms which can last for quite a long
time, but slowly get less as the body gets used to
doing without the drug.
Psychological addiction is when someone craves something which will
change his/ her mood or feelings.
They may not get physical withdrawal symptoms, but they may feel
lonely, depressed or anxious if they can't get the things they desire.
A depress drug addict.
What can be addictive?
People can become addicted to a wide range of things.
Drugs - legal and illegal drugs. Examples:
Alcohol
tobacco
marijuana
Some medications inhalants. Examples:
sniffing glue or petrol.
People can also become addicted to negative behaviours, which take
over their lives. Examples:
harmful or risky behaviours - such as breaking things, vandalism, stealing.
hurting themselves - like cutting their bodies.
compulsive behaviours (compulsive means that they feel they have to do
it to feel better about themselves).
Compulsive behaviours can include:
eating disorders, like bingeing on food and then making themselves vomit.
compulsive exercise, where they are constantly exercising to make
themselves feel good, but are really harming their bodies.
gambling, video games, mobiles and SMS, and chatting on the internet
unnecessarily.
Addiction to games on the internet
Signs of addiction
If someone you care about is showing several of these signs, then they could be
suffering from an addiction and needs help. Some signs are: when someone
uses drugs or alcohol to get away from problems or as a usual way to relax.
1. When someone seems to 'drop out' of life among family and friends.
2. When someone loses interest in something that used to be a big interest.
3. Lagging behind with school work, or getting behind with workload.
4. Avoiding friends, or hanging out with children
who use drugs.
5. Selling their stuff or stealing yours.
6. Being very moody and behaving in ways which
are unlike their usual behaviour.
7. Getting upset, anxious or really depressed.
8. Having problems with sleeping or getting out of
bed.
9. Being sick or shaky.
10. Changes in eating - maybe too much or not enough, or eating at 'different'
times.
11. Putting on weight or rapidly losing weight.
12. Checking their phone, messaging or talking on it even when they are with
other people.
13. Spending a lot of time playing games on their computer or tablet or phone so
they don't get to be with 'real people.
What can you do about addiction?
If someone you care about is suffering from an addiction you can:
Tell that person that you care about them and are worried about what they are
doing.
Tell someone you trust about it.
Do some research on whatever they are using or doing and show them or tell
them what you have found.
Think about your trusted adults and talk to them until something is done.
Encourage them to be more active and join in with others.
How you can keep yourself safe?
Keep yourself safe by:
o asking smokers not to smoke near you.
o avoiding being around someone who is addicted to alcohol or drugs.
o telling someone if you feel unsafe.
o not being around with that person or their friends.
o not making the mistake of thinking what that person is doing must be cool
because they are older than you.
o never try whatever drug they are using.
TOPIC: Rules and Responsibilities
SUB-TOPIC: -Rules for Appropriate Behaviours.
What is a Rule?
A rule is a prescribed guide for conduct or action.
Rules are important because they guide us. They also help to control the
behaviour of individuals.
Without rules, there would be confusion among people. People will not
respect the rights of others.
A society without rules can lead to discrimination and even cause harm to
individuals.
Rules can be formal or informal, written or unwritten.
Laws are written rules.
All organizations and groups have rules.
Some examples of rules are school/class rules, courtesy rules, traffic rules,
health rules etc.
Showing good manners is also important.
Organisations and persons who formulate rules.
Home – parents
School- head teachers
Class- teachers and pupils
Churches –priests
Organisations such as business entities- directors and managers
Country – Members of Parliament
Major Consequences of breaking rules.
Loss of recess privileges.
Suspension.
Detention
Paying fine
Serving jail time
Systems of rules and consequences are essential in creating a culture of respect
and academic achievement in our society.
Clearly articulated and practiced expectations will help you address
behaviour issues quickly and consistently so you can spend more time
working with others to achieve academic goal.
Persons who disobey rules will be punished.
Obedience to rules show a sign of growth and maturity.
Courtesy Rules and Maxims.
What are courtesy rules?
Courtesy rules would help individuals to have polite behaviours and allow them
to have proper manners. A courteous person will:
hold the door open for someone.
write a thank-you note for a gift.
let an elderly person have the last seat on the bus.
Some Examples of Courtesy Rules are:
If something comes up, make sure you contact others immediately.
Respect the needs of others in public.
Always be respectful towards the people that serve you.
Never embarrass another person. It is NOT polite to embarrass someone.
What are Maxims?
A maxim is a brief statement that contains a little piece of wisdom or a general
rule of behaviour.
Examples of courtesy rules and maxims
Be polite.
Show care and concern for others.
Remember to say please, excuse me, thank you and I am sorry in different
situations.
Enquire from elders if they need assistance.
Rights and responsibilities of pupils.
It is very important to make pupils aware of their rights and responsibilities when
formulating rules at school and at home.
Pupils' Rights
To be treated with respect by staff and other pupils.
To be provided with an education.
To be given the opportunity to develop their personality, talents and mental
and physical abilities to their fullest potential.
To be consulted on decisions regarding future learning and on the
development and review of the school code of conduct.
Pupils' Responsibilities
show respect to others.
behave in accordance with the published school code of conduct.
attend school unless there is a good reason for absence.
be punctual in attendance at school and at individual classes.
attend classes with whatever equipment is necessary.
take care of school buildings and equipment.
co-operate with staff to get as much benefit from school as possible.
When formulating rules, it is important to involve the persons in the group or
organisation and discuss the consequences.
Class rules and consequences
Rules Consequences
Ask questions when you are in doubt
Will be denied immediate attention.
Respect and listen to your classmates,
prefects and teachers
Write letter of apology.
Raise your hand to speak.
Will not be given an opportunity to speak.
Always bring a written excuse when
you are absent from school
Can be sent to the principal’s office.
Can be sent home.
Asked to bring parents to meet teacher.
Respect the property of others Repay the cost to damage property.
Suspension
Do not litter in class Clean various sections of the classroom.
Empty the class bins.
Always be prepared for class Will be placed in a corner to complete all
outstanding work
May be sent home
Ask to bring parents
School Rules.
1. Attend school regularly and punctually.
2. Pupils must always be fully dressed in their school’s uniform.
3. Be courteous to everyone.
4. Respect the property of others.
5. Complete all homework and assignments in a timely manner.
Rules at Home.
1. Respect your parents, elders at home.
2. Study, play, eat and sleep at proper time.
3. Pay attention to personal hygiene.
4. Share things with others
5. Use polite language.
Rules for travelling
1. Always wear seat belts, helmets and life jackets.
2. Do not smoke.
3. Do not carry firearm, weapons or explosive.
Rules for sports and games
1. Obey decisions made by referee or umpire.
2. Follow given instructions.
3. Be friendly to your opponents.
Showing respect for Infrastructure
Infrastructure referred to permanent structures found in our communities and
country.
Some infrastructure found in our community are roads, bridges, landmarks, utility
poles, kokers, playgrounds etc.
All infrastructures in our community must be protected.
We can do so by:
-Putting up signs such as: No Trespassing. Do not dump garbage etc.
-Do not sit on rails of bridges, culverts, throw stones on building etc.
-Follow instructions of road signs.
-Keep animals off the road.
Manners
Demonstrating how well you can behave will allow you to become role model
to others.
Health Rules
We must follow rules in order to avoid contracting viruses and bacteria.
The COVID19 Pandemic caused us to follow strict rules and guidelines so
as to maintain our health and avoid us from contracting the deadly virus.
Traffic Rules
Importance of traffic laws
Traffic laws are important because
they keep people safe.
They maintain law and order on the
road.
A motor vehicle is very helpful but it is
also dangerous and deadly weapon
if it in the wrong hands.
The safety of all road users depends
on all motorists following a precise set
of rules.
Traffic control signals are devices placed along, beside, or above a
roadway to guide, warn, and regulate the flow of traffic, which includes
motor vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians, and other road users.
Road Safety Week
These are some slogans that are used to observe Road Safety Week in
Guyana.
In the month of October we observe road safety Week. Drivers and
pedestrian must use the
road at all times.
Jaywalking by pedestrians
and speeding vehicles can
cause accidents. These
accidents can cause
damage to vehicles and
injuries or death to persons.
An accident Scene
TOPIC-Health and Safety
SUB-TOPIC-Leisure
Leisure Activity: Leisure is recreation
and relaxation after work or school.
People can relax and recreate in
many places in the community.
Examples of Leisure Activities
-playing games
- reading a book for entertainment and fun
- listening to music/making music
- riding a bike
-swimming -painting
Some of these places where leisure activities
are done include:
playground,
beach,
community centre
park and cinemas.
Park Playground
Community Centre Cinema
Home Beach
Benefits of Leisure Activities
Benefits derived from leisure activities include physical and mental fitness.
Physical Benefits: Taking part in recreational activities can improve
physical health. People who take part in these activities maintain lower
body fat and have lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Mental Health: Participating in recreational activities help manage stress;
provide a sense of balance and self-esteem, reduce anxiety and
depression and give you the ability to grow socially, emotionally and
mentally.
Non-leisure activities
Non-leisure activities are important for good health.
They include all those things you need to do.
Some of these activities include:
Chores done at home such as cooking, cleaning and washing.
Work done to earn money such as working in the office, fields or factories.
Work done to enhance the community such as building a bridge or
painting a fence.
.
Attending School Working
Chores done at home
SUB-TOPIC: -Self and Interpersonal Relationships
Sub-Topic: -Events in our lives
Important events in our lives help us to understand who we are.
Positive Events/Celebrations Traumatic Events
Wedding
Death of a loved one.
Birthday
Being abused
Graduations
Experiencing natural disaster
Emotions associated with happy situations
Happiness
Excitement
Joy
Hope
Inspiration
Love
Stress
Stressful situations can create health problems and affect relationships.
It is necessary to understand these feelings and try to resolve them.
Emotions associated with harmful situations
Coping skills can be developed and used to deal with adverse and high-
risk situations. Emotions associated with harmful situations are:
-hurt – unloved - neglected
– sad - angry – violent
- annoyed – irritated – stressed
TOPIC: Self and Interpersonal Relationships
Sub-Topic: Stigma and Discrimination
Stigma differs from discrimination.
Discrimination is unfair treatment due to a person’s identity, which includes
race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed,
sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital
status, family status or disability, including mental disorder illness etc.
Stigma
Rejection of certain groups and is manifested by one’s attitude towards
the group.
Discrimination
Discrimination is acting against the person.
Causes of Stigma and Discrimination
-Fear
-Ignorance
-uncertainty and prejudice
-socialization
Consequences of Stigma and Discrimination
People are hurt.
Conflicts result.
People who are sick do not seek help.
Persons living with HIV and AIDS often experience stigma and
discrimination.
How to stop Stigma and Discrimination?
-Educating yourself.
-Stop judging people.
-Sympathize and empathize with others.
SUB-TOPIC -Self and Interpersonal Relationships
Sub-Topic- Peer pressure
Peers are people who are part of the same social group.
Peer pressure can be either a positive or negative influence that one peer, or
group of peers, have on another person.
Peer pressure can be either be:
Positive
Negative
Positive Peer Pressure
Peer pressure could influence a young person to become involved in
sports.
This involvement could be positive, leading to exposure to healthy
lifestyles and role models, and eventually leading the young person to
become a positive role model herself or himself.
Negative Peer Pressure
Asking a young teenager to engage in behaviour that is against his/her
moral code or family values is a type of negative peer pressure.
It’s not uncommon for teens to find themselves engaging in behaviour
that goes against their beliefs, simply because they want acceptance.
Young people often lack the skills to come up with an excuse or reason to
say no to negative peer pressure.
Peer pressure and influence might result in children:
choosing the same clothes, hairstyle or jewelry as their friends
listening to the same music or watching the same TV shows as their friends
changing the way, they talk, or the words they use
doing risky things or breaking rules
working harder at school, or not working as hard
dating or taking part in sexual activities
smoking or using alcohol or other drugs.
Peer Pressure and Addiction
Peer pressure causes children to do things they would not otherwise do
with the hope of fitting in or being noticed, and of course, this can include
experimenting with alcohol and/or drugs.
Beyond prompting children to use drugs, peer pressure or the desire to
impress their peers can override a teen fear of taking risks. This risky
behaviour with drugs and/or alcohol can result in the following:
Accidents
Addiction
Alcohol or drug poisoning
Driving under the influence (of alcohol or other drugs)
Overdose
Sexually transmitted diseases
Addiction
Warning signs for peer pressure include:
low self- esteem, tearfulness or feelings of hopelessness
aggression or antisocial behaviour that’s not usual for your child
sudden changes in behaviour, often for no obvious reason
trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or waking early
loss of appetite or over-eating
reluctance to go to school
withdrawal from activities your child used to like
statements about wanting to give up, or life not being worth living
Children at risk of negative peer pressure and influence.
Some children are more likely to be negatively influenced by peers. These
include children who:
have low self-esteem
feel they have few friends
have special needs.