-engineers to be hired to check on schools
Regional administrations annual budget contains money for the maintenance and improvement of schools, and to ensure that these educational institutions are conducive to learning, the Ministry of Education will be hiring two engineers.
Minister of Education Shaik Baksh told parents of this development during a meeting with the Parent-Teacher Associations(PTAs) of the Leonora Secondary and Philadelphia Primary schools, Region Three, at separate meetings on Friday.
The PTA staged a protest a few weeks ago to highlight its concern. However, Minister Baksh explained that the parents should have followed due process. He noted that when concerns are raised and parents are not satisfied with the action at the regional level, then they should approach the ministry.

He said the ministry is working along with the regions to ensure the environment is conducive to learning, hence the Education Ministry will be hiring two engineers, and along with the regional engineer, they will inspect schools to determine their needs.Minister Baksh disclosed that in cases where there is need for additional finances, the regional administration could approach the government to request such, since the education needs of students are paramount.
He made reference to the schools in Georgetown which fall directly under the central ministry, and are having their needs met. This needs to be extended to the regions.
Regional Chairman Julius Faerber indicated that the PTA should visit the regional administration when there are concerns. He pointed out that the on-going works being done at the school to improve the facility include resurfacing the ground floor, tiling, painting, constructing concrete walk-ways, repairing columns and roof, installing guttering and dismantling of latrines.
Minister Baksh also met with the parents at the Leonora Secondary School, where concerns were raised surrounding students’ behaviour, dress code, absenteeism, irregular school attendance and low performances.

Minister Baksh pointed out that the attendance rate in the region is 67 percent and this indicates that students are missing over 30 percent of the curriculum, hence they are low performers. He highlighted that the results of students at Leonora Secondary who sat five subjects at CSEC with Grades One to Three have consistently declined from 2008 to 2010.
As it relates to incidents of violence, Minister Baksh indicated that the Education Ministry has zero tolerance for such, and will expel those students who are involved in such incidents. He added that students found with drugs will also be expelled and placed in the hands of the police.
To address the issue of gangs in the school, Minister Baksh stated that the ministry will conduct unexpected campaigns, as is done in Georgetown schools.
At both of the meetings, parents were urged to be more involved in their children’s education, since the ministry and the school system alone cannot ensure students’ success.
Minister Baksh reiterated that parents should monitor their children’s TV time and use of the computer.
He noted that the school alone cannot be blamed for low performances, and that parents have to accept some of the blame, since there are some parents who do not send their children to school regularly.
On the other hand, teachers must ensure that they fulfil their duties to make certain their students are well prepared for further study. Minister Baksh emphasised that teachers must also be able to identify the slow-learners so that they could be reached early and their improvement facilitated.

Minister Baksh emphasised the various programmes geared at aiding student improvement at both the primary and secondary levels; these include the remediation programme, the issuing of the literacy certificate, and the delivery of technical and vocational subjects.
The National Parent Teachers’ Association (NPTA) Coordinator, Carol Benn, encouraged parents to visit their children’s school to check on their performance, ensure they do their home work, and to have , chats with them.
She pointed out that the PTA should also play a role in ensuring the delivery of quality education.  Additionally, all parents and teachers are required to attend all PTA meetings to ensure all are involved in the decision-making process.
Friday’s interactions were part of a series of meetings scheduled by the education minister, and teachers and parents were given the opportunity to make known their concerns known and set a path for improvement. (GINA)