Teachers at workshop on critical national development issues
A THREE-DAY annual knowledge-sharing and competence building workshop series, geared to provide insights into the nature of issues identified to be critical to national development, concluded at the  University of Guyana Berbice Campus (UGBC), at Tain, Corentyne, yesterday.

The programme, themed ‘Sharing knowledge, building relationships and supporting development’  targeted teachers and has its origin in the UG Division of Education and Humanities workshop series which evolved out of monthly meetings at which internal issues and challenges were discussed.

The Coordinator, Ms. Pamela Rose, giving an overview at the opening on Wednesday, said the initiative marks the response to concerns and problems which were identified in the environment and the exercise is a platform to address them through collaboration with stakeholders.

In addition, the Division of Education and Humanities staff member said the programme, which will be facilitated by lecturers in the Division, provides a collaborative environment with opportunities for stakeholders to participate in the process of addressing critical issues in presentations, discussions and demonstrations.

Among the topics to be covered  are ‘Control or be controlled’ and ‘Effective Strategies for classroom management’, for untrained secondary school teachers in the East Berbice/Corentyne Region, with the primary objective of equipping them with the essential knowledge and strategies they require to be effective classroom managers.

Addressing the participants, Dean of the School of Education and Humanities, Mr. Al Creighton, who had, earlier, highlighted the role, responsibility and contribution of UG to national development, said the forum will attempt to instill qualities for equipping them for leadership in society, which needs changing.

“The society cannot be changed if one’s mind is set the same. The workshop sharpens one’s critical thinking, so we can recognise what needs to be changed and be better equipped to make that change,” he contended.

Creighton, a former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of UG, continued: “You recognise there is a need for a change but you are not confident you can do it. However, the interactive nature of the workshop develops self-confidence, self worth and a greater feeling that you can make a contribution to the change and progress in the society.”
Other speakers were Professor Daizal Samad, Director of UGBC, who made welcoming remarks; Mr. Phillip DaSilva, Assistant Campus Director, who chaired the midday proceedings and Ms. Grace Lambert, who moved the vote of thanks.