The key to a safer, smarter, and more competitive Guyana begins with education. At the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), this reality drives our mission to empower both children and adults with knowledge on standards, measurement, and quality in everyday life.
As September marks Education Month under the theme “Quality Education for National Development”, the GNBS reinforces its commitment to standards and quality by equipping young minds with the tools to embrace standards as a way of life. From school lectures to competitions to trainings, the Bureau continues to plant the seeds of awareness that will grow into a future defined by quality.
Throughout the year, the GNBS conducted interactive lecture sessions with secondary school students across the country, introducing them to the concept of standards, their role in daily life, and consumer rights and responsibilities. Students are also exposed to the use of accurate and approved measurements, and the wide range of career opportunities in Standardisation. These sessions are lively and practical, encouraging students to see how standards shape everything from the food they eat to the safety of their environment.
But lectures are just one part of the Bureau’s robust Standards Education programme. At the primary school level, the GNBS hosts the biennial Standards in Academia Quiz Competition, which encourages pupils to learn about standards and measurements and compete at the intra-and extra-regional levels. The next competition is slated for April to June, 2026.
Meanwhile, at the secondary level, the Bureau also engages students through the annual Impromptu Speech Competition. This year’s competition, to be held in Region Two during National Quality Week (NQW) in October, will focus on the theme “Shared Vision for a Better World. A spotlight on SDG 17: Partnership for Goals.” Focusing on Standards as a framework for partnerships, the contest aims to inspire students to think critically about how standards can drive innovation, strengthen industries, and support sustainable infrastructure for national and global development.
At the Caricom Regional Level, the GNBS is also collaborating on Standards Education. In September, the Bureau participated in a three-day Train-the-Trainers Quality Infrastructure (QI) Sensitisation Session, designed for members of the Caricom Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality – Marketing, Information, Knowledge and Education Committee (CROSQ-MIKE Committee) and educators across the Caribbean. The training, which was tailored to CSEC syllabi, T-VET, and University programmes, focused on the role of standards, metrology, certification, inspection, and testing in industries such as food, construction, retail, and tourism. Educators will now integrate this knowledge into their teaching, preparing students for their examinations and future careers; and ultimately, encouraging safe practices and a culture of quality across the Caribbean Community.
GNBS also offers specialized training for businesses throughout the year to strengthen industry and regulatory capacity. These training courses included training on National and International Standards such as the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Standard, the ISO 45001:2018 Occupation Health and Safety Standard, and the GYS 170:2021 General requirements for the operation of a laboratory. In September, trainings were conducted on Internal Auditing of ISO Management Systems and on Understanding the Requirements of ISO 9001:2015 – Quality Management Systems. Participants walked away with the knowledge and skills to conduct effective audits, evaluate findings, and implement systems that drive quality, compliance and continual improvement.
Through these educational initiatives, GNBS demonstrates that standards are not abstract rules but essential tools for safety, innovation, consumer protection, and sustainable development.
By investing in the standards education for young people and supporting lifelong learning in the public and private sectors, the Bureau is laying a strong foundation for a society where standards are understood, embraced, and applied at every level.
For more information on GNBS Standards Education activities, contact the Bureau at 219-0062-66, WhatsApp 692-4627, or email info@gnbsgy.org
