A GINA feature
DESPITE challenges in 2010, the Education Ministry was successful in the implementation of its programmes, policies and initiatives which focus on ensuring every Guyanese child receives quality education that suits his/her individual needs.
In a year-end press briefing, Education Minister Shaik Baksh, expressed his satisfaction with the Ministry’s achievements in 2010 and noted that the publishing of 51 editorials in the daily newspapers indicates the intensity of public debates on education issues.
Minister Baksh indicated that during the year, the Ministry continuously focused on modernising the education system, particularly the movement towards  establishment of the multimedia centre at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD).
One of the centre’s main activities will be the production and broadcast on television of educational programmes. This new television station will be dedicated to broadcasting programmes throughout the country via the use of satellite communications technology. Broadcasting is expected to commence during the first quarter of 2011.
He stated that the Ministry continued to build organisational capacity and managerial capability, and pointed out that there are 12 cadets, who are qualified graduates, within the ministry responsible for assisting in strengthening the management of the education sector and central ministry.
He further stated that focus was placed on achieving improved educational outcomes; as such there was a series of policy reviews, initiation of new programmes and initiatives, promoting improved performance management, and monitoring mechanisms geared to ensure that the goals of the Education Strategic Plan were achieved.

Teacher education

Minister Baksh disclosed that with the introduction of the Associate Degree in Education (ADE), 426 persons enrolled and commenced training at the Cyril Potter College of Education. Apart from this, there are 2000 teachers in training.
He further pointed out that 634 persons graduated from CPCE, while 300 teachers benefitted from  continuous development programmes, 413 senior teachers graduated from the education management programme, and 100 Maths and English teachers graduated from the non-graduate programme.
Minister Baksh disclosed that the Ministry has completed the design of the technical teachers training programme which will be mounted in 2011, in an effort to support the advances made in TVET, at the school and post secondary levels.
As it relates to ICT, 730 teachers received basic training in the use of computers, while 70 labs completed are expected to be fully equipped in 2011.
Minister Baksh noted that in ensuring the professionalisation of the teaching force, the Education Ministry intends to move in tandem with CARICOM and COHSOD towards establishing a national teachers’ council.

Pre-primary, primary and secondary education

Minister Baksh pointed out that at the pre-primary level, there was 80 percent coverage and that the new legislation provides for children three years and nine months to commence attending school.
At the primary level, there were improvements at the Grade 6 assessment. Students gaining 50 percent or more in Maths improved from 21 percent to 34 percent in 2010, while the results for English moved from 27 percent to 37 percent. Additionally, in April/May 2011, the Grade 4 literacy certificate will be introduced.
A six-year programme at the secondary level was also introduced for low achievers at the national Grade 6 assessment, in which 70 percent of the curriculum deals with Maths and English.
Minister Baksh indicated that for the first time at the secondary level, 11,443 students sat the CSEC examinations, with a 67 percent overall pass rate. This reflected improved results in English, 59 percent, and Maths, 35 percent, respectively.
Additionally, steps have been taken to limit the number of subjects students sit at CSEC to eight.
Importantly, the remediation programme has been institutionalised at the primary and secondary levels. Minister Baksh reported that 12, 000 students benefitted from the programme and it is expected that schools will institute continuous remediation throughout the year.
The Ministry is also promoting science education and the number of students taking the sciences at the CSEC is expected to triple by 2013.
As it relates to the established literacy unit, which has 300 literacy educators and includes participation from 190 centres, there have been reported improvements in student performance from 44 percent to 53 percent.
This department stresses the importance of ensuring students leave the system numerate and literate.
TVET

Minister Baksh indicated that the construction of the two new technical institutes in Regions Three and Five will be completed in 2011. He added that the Secondary Competency Certificate Programme will also be expanded to include 14 more schools in 2011. There are currently 3,300 students engaged in the programme; thus far 500 have graduated.
In an effort to boost this area of learning, two supplementary budget allocations were approved. The approved $129M is being used to retool and re-equip the practical instruction centres, while three of the technical institutes are also benefitting.

University of Guyana

Minister Baksh disclosed that the University presented a strategic plan to the Education Ministry, following which the top managers of the institution were engaged in discussions to ascertain a pathway of improvement.
The emerging suggestions from the discussion include rebalancing the programmes with emphasis on science and technology, quality assurance, increased managerial capacity, and promoting distance education; while Government is looking at developing the infrastructure.

Programmes

Minister Baksh indicated that the Ministry was commended by UNICEF for its efforts in promoting child-friendly schools, including enhancements to the school buildings, sanitation blocks, health, nutrition and counselling services, democratic participation, PTA, community outreaches, student councils and inclusive education.
These elements facilitate the realisation of child-friendly schools.
He also made mention of the achieved successes in the national feeding and uniform distribution programmes, where there has been a significant improvement in retention, nutritional balance and performance.
In 2010, over $2B was spent on new school buildings, capital works and maintenance. The completion of schools such as Bath Nursery, Region Six; Hope Secondary, Region Four; and Belle West, Parfaite Harmonie and Tuschen, Region Three provides adequate accommodation for students, particularly those residing in new housing developments.
While commending the officers and citizens involved in the Mentoring and Guidance and Counselling units, Minister Baksh indicated that they will be expanded to intensify the promotion of acceptable behaviour by students.
He also added that in January, student councils will be established in 12 secondary schools and these are expected to expand throughout 2011.
He also expressed appreciation for the efforts of members of WorldTeach, Project Trust, Volunteer Services Overseas, and the Peace Corps in furthering the delivery of education, particularly in hinterland communities.

Irrespective of the Ministry’s efforts, the remaining challenge is to ensure that the school system caters for the needs of every child. And so Baksh called for more parental participation and he urged teachers to be more cognisant of the various needs of their students
It is hoped that in 2011, parenting conferences will be institutionalised. This follows the issuing of a circular by the Chief Education Officer which mandates all schools to ensure that teachers meet with parents at least twice a year, to discuss the academic and behavioural progress of their children.

Appointments

Minister Baksh also disclosed that the Public Service Commission has approved three top positions in the Ministry which will be effective from January 1, 2011. These include the appointment of Chief Education Officer, Olato Sam; DCEO, Donna Chapman; and ACEO, Melcita Bovell.
The remaining positions will be filled by the first quarter of 2011, significantly enhancing the Ministry’s capacity to move the education system forward.
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The new Bath Nursery School, Region Six
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The  Education Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Pulandar Khandai, signing the contract to commence construction of the two new technical institutes in Regions Three and Five.
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Parents gathered at a Parent Teachers’ Association meeting facilitated by the Ministry of Education.
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Students graduating from the Secondary Competency Certificate Programme .(SCCP)
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Education Minister Shaik Baksh and representatives of Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) and Banks DIH, who provide Topco juice and biscuits for the national school feeding programme.
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Students receiving snacks which are a part of the feeding programme.