With Chinese partnership…
THE portfolio Ministry is going back to basics by stepping up emphasis on Physical Education (PE), Minster Shaik Baksh said yesterday.
He told the Guyana Chronicle that much more is being done to train local teachers at Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE). Mr. Baksh explained that this is not specialist training, which is a full four-year programme, but enough to give teachers a base from which they can work.
“They are supported, during the year, with workshops to continuously improve their skills,” he said, acknowledging that specialists in that area are scarce but some students returning from a four-year programme in Cuba are expected to help fill the gap.
“It is critical to have trained Physical Education instructors,” Baksh admitted and disclosed that the Ministry is in partnership with China to bolster advancement of the subject in Guyana.
In that context, the Chinese have supported the Allied Arts Unit, which is responsible for advancing PE and the expressive arts with the skill set to continue and expand on the momentum they have built.
The volunteers for that purpose were Zhang Tao Tao, Hao Da Lei, Ding Jian Wei and Zhang Xiao Bing, who, during their one year tenure, were attached to Bishops’ High School, CPCE, Tutorial High School and St. John’s College.
Baksh said the four professionals left in January and another batch is expected in June.
“This has been a partnership which, for the last three years, has been working well,” he reported.
Baksh said PE plays a vital role in building students’ self-esteem, self-confidence, self-discipline and improving their social and emotional development and academic performance.
He said, currently, the subject is being offered at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations in 17 schools but greater attention is being paid to expanding the programme to more.
According to Baksh, PE is part of the Ministry’s 2008-2013 Education Strategic Plan, which seeks to ensure that the discipline is taught in all the education districts countrywide.
He said, in keeping with this objective, open areas have been identified for recreational activities, some being the Education Ministry Sports Complex on Carifesta Avenue and another ground, also in Georgetown.
The CPCE ground will be upgraded as well, Baksh announced.

Improvements
Baksh said: “We are seeing improvements but there is more work to be done.”
The need for more work was visible at this year’s Children’s Mashramani Competitions, which saw a reduction in the number of schools participating in the PE displays across the 11 education districts, the 10 Administrative Regions and Georgetown.
In an invited comment, Senior Physical Education Officer, Ms. Allison Rawlins said several initiatives are planned for 2011, to get more schools and teachers involved in the PE drive.
She said the CPCE graduates have the training and the workshops are further assisting to ensure that theory is put into practice.
“PE is a timetabled subject, so there is no excuse for not having it done in schools,” Rawlins stated.
She said the greater need for trained personnel is at the secondary level and steps are being taken to ensure it is addressed.
“We are getting there…we are doing the best we can with the resources we have,” Rawlins said.
She said PE contributes not only to a student’s learning experience in a positive way but also improves overall health and, in general, there are many positives to having a robust programme.