Move towards gender balance in teaching profession
PREFERENCE will be given to every qualified male who applies for entry into the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), to encourage more of them into the teaching profession which is, currently, dominated by females. Minister of Education, Mr. Shaik Baksh made the policy known while addressing the  opening session of the second phase of the Health and Family Life Education (HFLE) programme at Regency Suites Hotel, in Hadfield Street, Georgetown, on Monday.
“Given the occasional unsatisfactory behaviour of students, among other issues, educators are becoming increasingly aware of the need for more male teachers in the school system, to serve as positive role models to boys and assist in the reversal of their underachievement,” the minister explained.
He said he believes that approach will bring about a transformation to not just the education sector but will decrease the number of men involved in the negative aspect of society, which is as a result of little or no male role models and influences in their lives.
His adumbration of the strategy follows previous appeals, urging males, who have preformed well at the recent Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) to join the teaching profession.
He said, generally, it seems that men are opting out of teaching, primarily because it is seen as a low paying job, among other reasons.
Baksh promised that measures will be put in place to ensure that males are attracted to the profession, as it is much needed here, in Guyana, even while this situation is not unique to any country.
He said the recruitment drive aims to change a growing phenomenon that exists at all levels of the education system.
Data from the ministry’s 2008-2009 Statistics Digest has indicated that the ratio of male to female teachers in the system is 1:247 at the nursery level; 1:7 at the primary levels and 1:2 at the secondary level, a release said.
WORLDWIDE TREND
It said the figures, in comparison with other countries, are not vastly different and, generally, reflect a worldwide trend.
Notwithstanding the concerns about the number of males in the profession locally, it was encouraging to note that a male, Villon Parris, has emerged as the best graduating teacher at the recent 2011 CPCE graduation exercise, the release said.
It said, apart from the drive to draw more males into the profession, the Government has also been making continuous efforts to improve the working conditions and welfare of teachers.
According to the release, teachers, today, enjoy uniform allowance, salary increase for upgrading their qualification, those from the coastland performing duties in certain areas in the hinterland Regions receive an additional $30,000 housing allowance along with other allowances, a limited number of teachers annually receive scholarships to further their studies at the University of Guyana (UG) and, as part of the package, headteachers are entitled to duty free concessions.
Additionally, the Education Ministry has been working with the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) to accelerate the housing programme for its members and the thrust of these interventions is to not only ensure a gender balance in the profession and enable teachers to be more comfortable and better equipped to deliver in the classroom.
It is also to provide learners with an opportunity to leave the school system as rounded individuals, who can lead productive lives and make meaningful contributions to society, the Ministry said.