THERE are some 15,055 teachers attending the Cyril Potter College of Education, but they are spread across four programmes in nine administrative regions.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand made this disclosure when delivering her assessment of the education sector yesterday at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD).

The minister explained that the two-year associate degree programme is offered to coastal students from Anna Regina, Linden, Georgetown, New Amsterdam, Rose Hall Town, Vreed-en-Hoop and Turkeyen.

In September 2014, over 513 persons enrolled in this programme. Sixty-nine students from Moruca, Mabaruma, Aishalton and Lethem enrolled in the teacher upgrade two-year programme, while the programme saw an overall enrollment of 250. The Education Minister noted that some students are accessing training via satellite in Moruca, Mabaruma, Port Kaituma and Upper and Lower Mazaruni.

Minister Manickchand also explained that teacher training will also include training for teachers in the technical field on a one-year programme. This new programme was set up for teachers in technical institutes and technical vocational education and training (TVET) programmes. The first batch was enrolled in June 2014, and over 350 are expected to graduate in December 2014.

“Capacity building, evaluation and improving facilities were also focused on under the Guyana Improving Teacher Education Programme. The number of additionally qualified primary teachers and others has exceeded the targets set”, the Minister said.

The minister explained that the focus on secondary education would see capacity strengthening of schools’ Mathematics teachers nationwide, along with expansion of facilities.

She noted that teachers are being trained and standards are being established. She said 71 public consultations have been held in 2014, and they are to be reviewed in order for a report to be prepared on the recommendations.