FIFTY-eight teachers from Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) were registered last Saturday to participate in an 18 months Education Management Certificate Programme. A release from the Regional Administration said Vice-Chairman, Mr. Manpersaud spoke to them at an orientation exercise in West Demerara Secondary School.
He underscored the urgent need to boost management at educational institutions and said, while great strides were made over the years, both at the examination level and in terms of infrastructure, many school administrators were not “up to scratch” in effectively managing the affairs of their schools.
“Many school heads are not carrying their weight and, very often, they do not take their responsibilities seriously. Lateness and absenteeism are two areas which need to be corrected,” Manpersaud said.
But he implored teachers to stay the course and ensure they put what they learn into practice.
Present on the occasion, too, was Regional Educational Officer, Ms. Marlyn Jones-O’Donoghue, who challenged the participants to keep abreast of current issues in the education system.
“If you do not keep abreast, you would not be able to function effectively,” she warned them.
Jones-O’Donoghue said the programme is geared towards enrichment and those involved should consider themselves lucky, as there are many more who wanted the opportunity.
She said the successful completion of the programme would enable school administrators to overcome the challenges ahead.