– Minister Baksh at launch of Guyana Improving Teacher Education Programme
The Education Ministry has long recognised that improved student performances are dependent on quality teachers.
As such, initiatives have been undertaken to boost teachers’ capacity. Thus far, these efforts have resulted in hundreds of teachers receiving training through the National Centre for Educational Research Development (NCERD) in a number of programmes, including guidance counselling, classroom management, special education, mathematics, English and the sciences. The ministry has also committed to having 70 percent of teachers trained while 50 percent must represent graduate teachers. And so from next year, head teachers who are not graduates will not be appointed to Grade A and Grade B primary and secondary schools.  
In an effort to continuously advance this critical area, the Education Ministry along with the World Bank, yesterday officially launched its US$5.12M Guyana Improving Teacher Education Project (GITEP), at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), which is aimed at improving the effectiveness and efficiency in the delivery of quality teacher education in Guyana.

Education Minister Shaik Baksh noted that this initiative is the key, since there is a direct link between quality education and student achievement.
“In the area of teacher training, we want to see the transformation of Guyana through this initiative,” he said.
He made reference to a quote in the Teacher Hemispheric Project which states, “The education of a teacher should be seen as a process of development of persons into teaching and learning specialists who are able to respond to the ever-changing and unpredictable school and classroom context, through reflection and informed decision making, who are sensitized to issues of social justice that relate to education and learning, and empowered to be its advocates.”
The development of this project is critical since it was recognised that the current structures, programmes and structures at CPCE were not delivering, and that Guyana was behind the Caribbean; this was highlighted in a survey done two years ago by the World Bank, Minister Baksh explained.
Since then, the Education Ministry has received much support, particularly from the World Bank, to ensure that the foundation was laid to commence the GITEP. To further advance this initiative, changes were made at both the Board and Management levels of CPCE, while capacity strengthening is being done with lecturers at CPCE and the University of Guyana’s School of Education and Humanities, Minister Baksh noted.
This will see teacher educators improving their qualifications to the Master’s level and even beyond, resulting in better quality teachers leaving CPCE.
Minister Baksh emphasised that, last year, the college received the highest amount of applicants, an indication that the profession has become appealing, and the developed standards and opportunities to progress academically are appreciated by persons desiring to receive training.
He explained that with the advent of the Associate Degree in Education being offered at the CPCE, the Certificate in Education programme offered at UG will be phased out while more advanced programmes should be introduced.
Minister Baksh disclosed that this year, over 800 teachers will be graduating from CPCE, while another 900 will be doing so next year. These teachers will have the opportunity to attend UG for two years instead of four, to further advance their capacity.

Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, noted that in discussions with the World Bank, it was negotiated and agreed that through the Country Assistance Strategy (CAS), two priority areas on the Administration’s agenda should be selected for funding, one being education, with a special emphasis on quality, and the second being the environment, with emphasis on climate change.
Dr. Singh expressed appreciation for the World Bank’s support in improving education in Guyana, particular through the Education for all Fast Track Initiative (EFA/FTI) which caters for teachers and students in the hinterland.
“For the Government, there is no investment more important than investment in our young people, investment in our education system. For this reason, the national budget allocates more resources to education than any other sector… this is a deliberate policy choice,” he said.
This is reflected in resources being made available for the construction of two new technical institutes, investments to expand tertiary education, technology and new schools, thereby enabling Guyana to achieve access to universal education, as outlined in the Millennium Development Goals. 
Dr. Singh also highlighted other initiatives aimed at improving the lives of all Guyanese, including the fibre optic cable which allows for improved connectivity, the distribution of computers and the advent of the Guyana Education Channel.
World Bank Representative – Education Sector Manager for Latin America and the Caribbean Region, Dr. Chingboon Lee, noted that it is expected that the project will provide the professional growth and opportunities for the group of beneficiaries who will strive to improve the existing teachers in Guyana.
Dr. Lee pointed out that there are some countries which seek out the best talent for entry into the teaching profession. For instance, in South Korea, Finland and Singapore only recruit university graduates performing in the top 20 percent of the class become teachers, hence teaching is considered a top profession.
“The new GITEP draws on best practices that focus on initiatives that will help in recruiting the right candidates for teaching, to groom and motivate them, while investing in the continuous professional development of existing teachers,” she said.
Dr. Lee recognised government’s efforts to provide education for all Guyanese, particularly in the hinterland, since this ensures there is equity is the delivery of education.
Project Coordinator, Tota Mangar, stated that the project’s higher other objective is to improve the learning achievement of Guyana’s school children by advancing the quality and delivery of teacher education.
He added that the expected outcomes of the project include more effective performance of teacher educators and student teachers, more efficient provision of teacher education, and better use of resources and improved management of teacher education programmes.
The project will facilitate the development of appropriate courses and terms of reference for administrators, faculty lecturers and tutors at CPCE and UG School of Education and Humanities, improving the quality and implementation of the practicum and induction year for all ADE graduates, and the integration of ICT in the teaching and learning process.