THE Government of Guyana, through its Ministry of Education, is seeking to understand the preference of teachers and parents as it relates to the issues surrounding corporal punishment in schools and automatic promotion of students. In this vein, a consultation was yesterday organised with these individuals in Region 6 (East Berbice/Corentyne), at the New Amsterdam Secondary School, formerly known as New Amsterdam Multilateral.
Education Minister Priya Manickchand interacted with teachers across the region yesterday morning, and did the same in the afternoon with parents. These individuals were encouraged to frankly express their opinions on the way forward with regard to the two issues.
Yesterday’s meeting was the first in a series of public consultations that will be held across the country.The majority of those in attendance asked for children not to be automatically promoted and for corporal punishment to maintain its place in the school system.
The minister, who was joined by several education officers at the head table, said the government does not yet have a position on the issues and that decisions will be made only after the consultations across the country are complete.    (Telesha Persaud)