TO enhance the delivery of education across the Rupununi, every single teacher in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) will be trained.
This is according to the Regional Executive Officer (REO), Karl Singh, who during an engagement with President, Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday, noted that every community across the region now has access to nursery, primary and secondary-level education.
“Every single teacher in the Rupununi, every single teacher in the community is either trained by this year; or if they’re not trained, they’re enrolling in the CPCE [Cyril Potter College of Education] training programme. So, within the next few years, every single teacher will be trained in [the] Rupununi,” Singh said.
He noted that significant improvements in the region’s education infrastructure are underway, highlighting the government’s commitment to ensuring that children and teachers have the necessary resources to succeed.
The REO outlined the ambitious plans to enhance transportation for students, saying, “So, every single area, children will now have access to many buses, either bicycles or a boat to be transported to a school.”
Previously, transportation to schools was a challenge in many of the more riverine or distant parts of the region. With the new measures in place, students will have a reliable means of getting to school, irrespective of their location.
Moreover, the REO emphasised the importance of teachers welfare, stating, “A lot of things have been done, and we will continue to work very, very hard to ensure every teacher has accommodation.” These efforts are part of a broader initiative to ensure teachers are well supported and equipped to deliver quality education.
The REO outlined that every teacher would be provided with basic accommodations, including proper housing and a comfortable living environment. “Every teacher has proper
accommodation, a bed, every teacher has the basics, at least five basic things in their houses, to be reasonably confident,” the REO explained, noting that such support is essential for ensuring that educators can fully focus on their work.
Over the last four years, some 4,378 teachers have been trained.