– Cotton Tree teacher offering after-school lessons at his home

It was after some parents approached him with the idea of hosting after- school lessons, that trained teacher, Mohamed Shakoor, accepted their request and began tutoring students at his home.

It all started in 2018 when he was asked by parents, requesting he host after-school lessons since some were considered slow learners.

“I didn’t give it much thought because I am willing to assist and I jumped at the idea and began classes from my bottom house,” he said.

It was evident that Shakoor liked what he is doing since, he has arranged a section of his bottom house with wooden chairs, tables and blackboard to comfortably accommodate pupils.

“As a teacher, I knew the weak areas of some students and I was more than willing to lend a helping hand as my way of giving back to society,” he explained.

Shakoor has a class of 30 students but as a result of COVID-19, he had to cut that amount to 20 pupils for now until the pandemic passes.

He tutors Mathematics, English, Social Studies and Science for Primary School students and for the Secondary School students he has classes for Mathematics and other subject areas.

The classes are held from 15:00hrs to 17:30hrs on weekdays in his yard which is decorated with potted plants and flowers in varying sizes and colours, adding a homley touch to the atmosphere.

Shakoor has been in the teaching profession since 2005 and used to work at a rice company which closed its doors after which he had to seek employment elsewhere.

It was then he applied for a teaching position and then went to Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) at Turkeyen, and the University of Guyana (UG) and became a qualified teacher.

“I was stuck because I couldn’t get a job so I applied for a teaching job and got it and took an instant liking to the noble profession and said to myself why not enhance my skills and went to enrol at CPCE,” he said.

Shakoor told the Pepperpot Magazine that teaching is very fulfilling because he wants to boost the children who are not top performers and to mould them to excel in the future.

“When I am not in school, I am here teaching and I try to work with all groups of children and motivate them to do better in the subject areas they are not so versed in,” he said.

With schools closed due the global pandemic, he has the time to give individual attention to students, all from his home.

Shakoor taught at New Amsterdam Multilateral, Sand Creek Secondary School, and Cotton Tree Primary School, which is close to home.

He reported that he established after-school lessons at his home out of the need to give back to the community, to serve and not for money-making purposes.

“I know the children, who cannot afford private tutoring because I live in this village and I would not take a dollar because I know the challenges they face and I give my service to all equally with showing partiality and it feels good,” he said.

Shakoor is, however, saddened by some youths in the community who engage in idle and unhealthy activities.

He added that if skills training methods are implemented they can benefit after which they can be gainfully employed or become small business owners.

The teacher reported that there are a lot of school dropouts in Cotton Tree Village and before they engage in unsavoury activities they can participate in vocational training.

The village has a well-kept Community Centre Ground with a building to house such activities.

The nearest Secondary School is at Rosignol, a few villages away, which is considered a commercial hub and a central point for businesses.