Protests over refused promotions…
THE Teaching Service Commission (TSC) yesterday concluded that Christianburg/Wismar Secondary School Headmaster, Mr. Cleveland Thomas, neglected his duties when he failed to promote 30 children.

He had been summoned to a disciplinary hearing on Monday after he contended that the students could not be promoted because they are unable to read or write.
Thomas was accompanied to Georgetown by scores of irate parents who supported his position and protested outside the TSC office on Brickdam.

The protestors carried placards which read ‘Stop automatic promotion’, ‘Automatic promotion is bad for our future,’ ‘Promotion must be done by pass’ and ‘God don’t promote failures: why should we – No automatic promotion.’

A similar demonstration also took place in Linden where those who had journeyed to the city joined another large group, including students of the school.
In accordance with Education Ministry policy, the students must be promoted since the ‘No Child Left Behind’ system was announced earlier this year. It was introduced for several reasons, primary among which is that, more often than not, when a child repeats a class, he becomes a dropout.
Among the protestors at Linden was Region Ten (Upper Demerara/Berbice) Chairman, Mr. Mortimer Mingo, who told the Guyana Chronicle that, despite the TSC ruling, the concerns over the policy remain.
“The Region is not against any policy that seeks to improve education but, if people are concerned, then it means the details of that policy need to be better articulated,” he maintained.
Mingo added that the Regional Education Committee met and deliberated on the issues and the general consensus was that the policy would pose problems.
“People are concerned and something needs to be done,” he insisted.
About the future of the 30 children if they do not secure promotion, Mingo said alternatives should be available to them.
Education Minister Shaik Baksh is currently abroad and several attempts to contact other senior officials in his ministry were unsuccessful.

INFORMATION LACK

However, a reliable source within the Ministry declared that the protest resulted from an information lack.
The explanation offered is that, under the ‘No Child Left Behind’ stipulation, a child is promoted and enrolled in remedial Mathematics and English programmes, with the option of the Secondary Competency Certificate Programme (SCCP), because not all children are academically inclined.
Courses under the SCCP include crops and soil sciences, art and fabric decoration, catering, household management, garment construction, electrical installation, carpentry, joinery, masonry, metal work and welding.
The Education Ministry introduced the SCCP in 12 more schools at the beginning of this school year, mainly in the hinterland regions.
Before the start of the current academic year, the SCCP was taught at grade nine level. Previously, it was on offer at grade 10 in 22 secondary schools and seven practical instructional centres in the Georgetown District and Regions Ten, Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam), Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), Four (Demerara/Mahaica), Five (Mahaica/Berbice) and Six (East Berbice/Corentyne).
It was a 2009 initiative and is vocational in nature, presenting students with an alternative pathway in secondary education, utilising the Competency Based Modularisation (CBM) approach to education and the Criterion Reference Approach (CRA) for delivery.
Students’ performance in the SCCP is measured against specific occupational standards directly related to industry and they are required to develop competency in certain skill areas relevant to their studies.
Generally, the programme is one year in duration but could be extended to meet the needs of students. Under it, the participants are tutored in four core subjects, Language and Communication, Mathematics, Integrated Science and General Studies and the choice of one from the technical vocational areas of Agricultural Science, Industrial Technology, Home Economics and Visual Arts.
Those who successfully complete the course are awarded certificates by the Education Ministry, having acquired the knowledge, skills and desirable attitudes essential for entry into the world of work.
Students who do not satisfy all the requirements for certification are granted a transcript indicating the areas in which they have demonstrated competency.
Five hundred of them, countrywide, who have been successful at the SCCP are set to graduate soon.