School's out - what activities do you plan for your children or for yourself for the August holidays? The views of the man/woman-in-the-street follow.

Wilfred Cameron - news anchor/single parent: `I am planning to send my daughter to computer classes for a part of the holidays and abroad as well. I want her to learn some computer skills and I don't have one of my own. Today you cannot have a child and not ensure that he or she is computer literate because of the knowledge-oriented world in which we are living. In addition not knowing anything about the computer would do no good to children's self-image. In sending her abroad my main objective is for her to establish links with our relatives whom she should know. The family connection is important to us or she could stay right here in Guyana and have a great holiday.'

Patrick Peters: - `My two children's end of term reports were not good so I plan to ensure that they take some extra tutoring in the areas in which they were weak, especially in English and Mathematics so as to catch up when the new term starts. I had other plans but I had to shelve them because they did not do well at school and it would be unfair if they start the new term at a disadvantage. I plan to leave enough time for recreation and to take them to a few places as well. I guess they must live up to expectations and I will have a few surprises in store for them, too.'

Donna Shortt-Gill - public sector employee: `While I have no immediate plans for recreational activities, I plan to enrol two of my three children in computer courses because of the need for them to be computer literate when looking for a job. It is unfortunate that generally in the schools computer skills are not taught so we have to pay extra to gain the skills. Now is the best time, when the children are relaxed and could be more focused in learning a new skill. It will keep their minds stimulated and they should enjoy it. In terms of local travel if in the course of my work I could accommodate them in travel, I will.'

Haresh Ramsamooj - private sector employee: `My children are not with me but I would suggest that parents wishing to take their children travelling for the holidays should take them to places like the Rupununi, Matthew's Ridge, Orealla, Charity on the Pomeroon and Lethem among other places. In this way parents would inculcate in their children the beauty and opportunity that abound in Guyana and to make their country no matter where they be their number one priority. We should stop being Toronto and New York-minded and spend money in Guyana.'

George Craig - shipping clerk: `I have no plans for my children at present though I would like to take them to Suriname for a holiday but I do not have the finances. I cannot afford to holiday in Guyana because it is too expensive and a waste of time. It is cheaper to travel to Trinidad and Suriname than to go to some destinations right here in Guyana. Probably if I had owned a four by four wheel drive vehicle I would have taken them to various parts of the country by road and camp around but I don't have one.'

Paul Lowe - secondary student/table tennis player: `I intend to play a lot of table tennis and take part in some competitions for the holidays. A lot of prizes will be at stake in these competitions and I intend to win some. There will also be a selection tournament for a Guyana squad and I am looking for a place in the national side. If I was not playing tennis, I would have tried to get involved in some other sporting activities like cricket, which is what I would advise other youngsters to do.'

Suzanne Peters - secondary student: `Next year I will be writing a number of subjects at the CXC (Caribbean Examinations Council) examinations so much of my time will be spent in studying. I will have to go to lessons and study. I don't mind at all. In addition my church will be conducting a one-week camp in which I would be taking part. The camp is mainly for young people and some of the topics to be covered will include, child abuse and children's rights, teenage pregnancy and career guidance. I am looking forward to that.'

Sharon Scott - field superviser: `I plan to send my older child to some extra lessons to prepare him for secondary school. It should be a kind of orientation for him so he would not find it strange. The smaller one I will send to vacation bible school. Unfortunately I cannot take them on a holiday because I would not get any leave for the holidays. I had promised to take them to Trinidad but I will have to put that on hold. I would have liked to take them to places in the interior but I don't have information on these places. I have never been there and in travelling you must know at least where you are going, accommodation and the health status of the area, for instance if there is malaria around.'

Bernadette Beaton - teacher: `My children and I will be visiting relatives in Essequibo and generally we want to relax and have a good holiday. I plan to send my son to computer classes, however, so he can become computer literate. The holidays are the best time to be introduced to this. Computer literacy is a must in these times.'

Abiola King - housewife: `My daughter will continue extra lessons in preparation for the common entrance examinations which she is due to write next year but my husband wants to take our two sons in the interior where he works. It will be a good thing for the boys to get to know their father better as he is most times away from home. I cannot go anywhere because I will have to remain in the city to look after the girl. She will have a two-week break and during that period we'll go to either Trinidad or Brazil.'