THE first ever graduation for students who successfully completed the Secondary Competency Certificate Programme (SCCP) took place
Wednesday in Queen’s College auditorium, Camp and Thomas Roads, Georgetown. At the function where 500 received certificates, Education Minister Shaik Baksh said the SCCP introduction is recognition of the
fact that the system must respond comprehensively to the needs of the country, not only through academic initiatives.
“This is a proud day for the sector. It is on the move. We must ensure we have skills, innovation and creativity. That way, we will realise the vision for our country,” he declared.
The 2009 innovation is vocational in nature and presents students with an alternative pathway in secondary education, utilising the Competency Based Modularisation and the Criterion Reference approaches for delivery.
The SCCP was first implemented in 12 schools, primarily in hinterland regions, initially, at grade ten in 22 secondary schools and seven practical instructional centres (PICs) in the Georgetown Education District and Regions Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam), Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), Four (Demerara/Mahaica), Five (Mahaica/Berbice), Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) and Ten (Upper Demerara/ Berbice).
But, presently, it is being offered in grade nine and Mr. Baksh said, by the end of 2013, it will be available in double the number of schools involving approximately 15,000 students.
Their performance is measured against specific occupational standards directly related to industry and they are required to develop in certain skill areas relevant to their studies, with competency being defined as a skill performed to a specific standard under specific conditions.
Grade nine students and those at the PICs are trained to the level one worker status and, generally, the programme is of one year duration but could be extended to meet the needs of students.
Among other things, it caters to:
* develop technical competencies and enhancement of functional literacy and numeracy at grade nine;
* equip students with citizenship, life and vocational skills to support national development;
* expose students to a modularised and vocational career education, with emphasis on supervised work experience, work attachments and/or work related projects;
* develop good occupational, environmental health and safety practices in schools and
* develop students to acquire problem solving and creative thinking skills through project work.

Core subjects
In the SCCP, students study four core subjects, Language and Communication, Mathematics, Integrated Science and General Studies and the choice of one option from the technical vocational areas in Agriculture Science, Industrial Technology, Home Economics and Visual Arts.
Students who successfully complete the programme are issued certificates by the Ministry of Education, having acquired the knowledge, skills and desirable attitudes that are essential for entry into the world of work, to continue their education or embark on further training.
Those who do not complete all of the requirements for certification are given a transcript, indicating the areas in which they have demonstrated competencies.
Baksh, in his  speech, pointed out that majority of students who drop out do so in grades eight and nine.
However, he said recent analysis has indicated that the SCCP was instrumental in encouraging students to remain in school, by offering another option if they are not academically inclined.
Of those receiving certificates yesterday, 15 per cent secured Grade A passes, 82 Grade B and the remainder Grade C.
Grade A is between 80 and 100 per cent, Grade B ranges from 61 to 80 per cent and Grade C 41 to 60 per cent. Below 41 per cent do not certified.
Baksh said the education sector must cater to the different needs and aptitudes of those who pass through the system.
According to him, the SCCP is the base and students can either pursue the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) in the technical/vocational stream of  secondary schools or apply to a technical institute to further specialise in a particular skill.
Baksh said the next step is the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) and the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council is working to ensure that Guyana satisfies the requirements, at its institutions, before the programme can commence, by the middle of 2011.
The CVQ is based on a competency approach to training, assessment and certification. Candidates are expected to demonstrate that they are competent to attain occupational standards developed by practitioners, industry experts and employers. Those standards, when approved by CARICOM, allow for portability across the Region.
Currently, CVQs are planned to reflect a qualification framework of five levels, Level 1, Directly Supervised/Entry Level Worker; Level 2, Supervised Skilled Worker; Level 3, Independent or Autonomous Skilled Worker; Level 4, Specialized or Supervisory Worker and Level 5, Managerial and/or Professional Worker.

Significant contribution
Baksh said development in the technical and vocational areas will continue as the sector targets expansion to tap into the potential of those who are not academically inclined, but can make a significant contribution to developing the country in another area.
In that context, he charged the graduates to apply themselves and take advantage of their position.
“You are well placed to chart your way forward and move into the labour markets and earn,” Baksh told them.
He said there is a role for other stakeholders, like parents, teachers and education sector stakeholders to play.
Baksh said that role involves advancing a change in attitudes and behaviours, so that perceptions of youths will differ; viewing youths as assets of the country rather than problems; recognising their contribution; continuing the reform of the education sector and investment in Information Communication Technology (ICT); working with youths to solve problems by empowering them and strengthening key institutions, including the family and schools.
“Everyone needs to be on board,” he maintained.
SCCP Unit Coordinator, Mr. Aubrey Overton agreed and said the last year has been challenging and but lauded the support of partners.
He reported that 253 headteachers, as well as regional and district education officials were trained, though various partnerships, to implement the SCCP.
Also present on the historic occasion were parents and representatives of key education sector agencies, among them the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD).
The best graduating student was Roslyn Simon, of Charity Secondary School on the Essequibo Coast.