In 2011, the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) appointed 510 junior teachers, demoted two head teachers and one deputy, and dismissed 164 teachers. During 2011, the TSC, in keeping with its constitutional mandate, continued its threefold role of appointing, removing and disciplining teachers. Conscious of the large sum of money being expended on the Education system, and mindful of the important role of teachers, the Commission, through its work sought to assist in meeting the objectives as set by the Ministry of Education.
Hundreds of persons applied for teaching positions; 510 junior teachers were appointed. There were many applicants with ten or more CSEC or CXC passes with Grades I and II, but they had passes of Grade IV or lower in English Language and / Mathematics. A pass of Grade III and higher in English and Mathematics is compulsory for appointment as a Temporary Qualified Master/Mistress). The Ministry of Education is conducting programmes that will soon change this scenario.

In the case of junior appointments, some vacancies were unfilled because of the following reasons:

(i)  Lack of eligible applicants in specific technical fields living within or in close proximity to the catchment area of some schools.

(ii)  Applicants who have passes in technical fields but are deficient in English and / Mathematics.

(iii)  Unavailability of housing in some riverine areas.

(iv) Persons finding great difficulty in travelling long distances to reach some schools.

The Senior Promotion Vacancy Notice 2011, published at the request of the Ministry of Education, and accompanied by the “Criteria for Promotion 2011” attracted 635 applicants. From this number, 308 senior promotions were made.
Every year, a large number of teachers attend the University of Guyana to improve their knowledge and upgrade their status in the profession. While the Teaching Service Commission is happy when a teacher upgrades his/her education, a number of teachers do not properly apply for releases to attend the University of Guyana. Thus classes are left unattended, which forces the ministry to take corrective action, sometimes leading to teachers being brought before the Commission to be disciplined for neglect of duty or irregularity.
The Disciplinary Committee had to recommend 164 dismissals to the Teaching Service Commission of teachers who either broke the Code of Conduct, or who demonstrated that they will not continue to be good teachers. Some had to be interdicted from duty, and in some cases, dismissed, because of being found guilty of touching and fondling students, child abuse, specifically emotional abuse, vulgar and inappropriate behaviour in school, and inappropriate relationships with students. Strong action had to be taken by the Commission against the backdrop of a heightened wave of reported sexual offences across the country.
Two headteachers were demoted, one for forgery, and one for neglect of duty, misconduct and irregularity. Forty-three resignations were accepted.
The Commission visited a number of Regions during 2011, and held discussions with Regional Chairmen, Regional Executive Officers and education staff in the Regions. One purpose was to give the Teaching Service Commission a face in the Regions. The other was to meet staff of identified schools, listen to concerns of teachers, and offer advice where necessary.
The Commission is now commencing the processing of applications for senior promotions 2012.