…Gov’t commits ‘big bucks’ to equipping, enhancing TVET centres
MINISTER of Education Mr. Shaik Baksh, on Monday, signed several contracts totaling some $480M for the supply of office equipment, furniture, computers and tools for the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Centres at Mahaicony in Region 5 (Mahaica/Berbice) and Leonora in Region 3 (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara). The signing ceremony was conducted in the Ministry of Education’s Boardroom on Brickdam.
According to Baksh, efforts are underway to equip the new Training Centres before the beginning of the new term in September so that the persons utilizing the facilities will enjoy fully furnished institutes, compliments of the Government of Guyana and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).
As to the importance of these institutes, he noted that the focal point of the Education Strategic Plan is on two important aspects, TVET and Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
He explained that the signing of contracts represents one aspect of a Government of Guyana/CDB project worth US$9.6M and which is titled ‘Enhancement of TVET’.
The CDB loan will assist with the achievement of two major objectives: to increase access to quality TVET programmes and to enhance the capacity of the TVET system. These objectives are to be achieved through the construction of two technical institutes and through institutional strengthening activities designed to enhance the capacity of persons and programmes at various levels in the system. 
Minister Baksh explained: “It is important to note that the government and the CDB have had consultancies to design Technical Teacher Training programmes so that all involved at these centres can be trained.”
This consultancy is expected to be completed within the next three months, he added.
There will also be a focus on the enhancement of capacity to provide the requisite services, including project management and construction supervision.
Continuing, the Education Minister revealed that a policy document is being completed for Technical/Vocational Education as training has been identified as a key component in the overall plan.
“We need trained teachers; this is a challenge,” he declared.
In addition to this, the minister highlighted the efforts that are also being made to promote Tech/Voc programmes at the post secondary, as well as secondary levels. He noted that some 35 secondary schools are offering the Secondary Competence Certificate Programme (SCCP), as well as 10 practical instructional centres.
Baksh also pointed out that this programme, currently being offered in Grades 9 and 10, has already succeeded in reducing the school drop out rates.
The Ministry of Education, in its five-year strategic plan, intends to extend this programme to 70 secondary schools in the next three years.
As to the progress of this, Baksh explained that he is “optimistic” about making the target.
In addition to focusing on the establishment of new institutions, attention is being placed on improving existing facilities such as the Government Technical Institute (GTI), New Amsterdam Technical Institute, and the Government Industrial Training Centre (GITC) for retooling and re-equipping. As such, a $12.6M contract was awarded for this purpose.
These activities are all expected to contribute to the development of an institutional framework that will permit the coherent development of the TVET sub-sector.
“These are huge investments to ensure that Guyana has the skills required to ensure continued growth and investment,” Minister Baksh stressed.
In closing, the Education Minister emphasized that all of the contractors chosen have a proven record of accomplishment.
Addressing the transparency of process, he explained that the contracts were publicly tendered in keeping with the guidelines and underwent several tiers of examination both locally and by the CDB.
In addition to the local contractors, a German company, Boss Pro Tech, was also awarded a $102M contract for the provision of drilling machines and other equipment.