IN September 2007 the first batch of teachers began the National Centre for Education Research and Development (NCERD)’s Non- Graduate Course for Secondary School Teachers. This two- year programme was conducted through the distance mode and focused in empowering teachers in the areas of Mathematics and English Language. Several teachers across the country signed up for the programme. I completed several assignments throughout the past two years and wrote two examinations. I wrote the final exam for the programme last October, of which I was informed I passed. The programme was supposed to have ended last September since that would have rounded off two years.
To date, teachers who have completed this programme have heard nothing from the Ministry of Education or NCERD as to the way forward. I contacted NCERD and had spoken to one Mr. Wintz. I enquired as to when the graduation for teachers who completed the course would be. I also asked him when the Ministry would be honouring its commitment to grant the increase in salary pending the completion of the programme as well as promotional points to those who successfully completed same. Mr. Wintz did not have any answers for me that day. All he said was that soon there would be forthcoming information and a decision would be made. Many teachers who would have completed the two- year programme have might have entered University of Guyana since October 2009 and have felt that maybe they should have been exempted from certain courses owing to their completion of the NCERD programme, which was more or less first year university standard.
This is not really encouraging at all. Currently, I am sure there are other teachers doing the same programme. It is not motivating at all to go through the rigours of such a programme, which I believe was a great initiative of the Ministry of Education, and not see any proper closure to the course or any forthcoming information from NCERD.