MOST public schools countrywide reopened on Tuesday after the August holidays and, while there have been a few hiccups, education is progressing as expected, according to some Regional Education Officers (REOs).

They reported that, generally, attendance of both teachers and schoolchildren was favourable for the first days of the new term.

The Department of Education in Region Four (Demerara/Mahaica) said all schools were operational without problems.

Similar reports were received from Regions Six (East Berbice/Corentyne), Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni), Nine (Upper Takutu/ Upper Essequibo) and Ten (Upper Demerara/ Berbice).

However, in Region Five (Mahaica/ Berbice), an education officer, Ms. Ms. Leslie Charles said there was a delay in opening the Gordon Table Primary School.

She said the REO, Mrs. Shafiran Bajan is currently dealing with the issue and it should be resolved soon.

Attempts to contact Ms. Marylyn Jones O’Donoghue, the REO in Region Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands), proved futile as the Guyana Chronicle attempted to get an update on Patentia Secondary School, which was closed, from Wednesday, on the order of Minister of Education, Mr. Shaik Baksh.

He said classes there will resume on Monday, with sufficient furniture in a compound cleared of builder’s waste from construction of a new wings there.

The building will then be able to accommodate an additional 800 students.

Meanwhile, Director of the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD), Mr. Mohandatt Goolsarran assured that, with the exception of one of two, schools are in a state of readiness with regard to resource materials.

They have been supplied with curriculum documents, interactive radio instruction manuals and Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) DVDs to assist with Mathematics and English.

Goolsarran said school libraries have also been upgraded, through a gift of $5M worth of books, in an effort to push the better literacy initiative.

He said human resources have been boosted, as well, following several training sessions teachers throughout the regions, which will be intensified.