At IT graduation…
THE Ministry of Education, in keeping with its vision to promote computer literacy in schools, on Wednesday last presented certificates to teachers who successfully completed a four months online information technology (IT) course. The 60 hours programme, titled ‘Teacher Education for 21st Century Teachers’, was facilitated by three lecturers from Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) and one from the University of Guyana (UG).

Sponsored by the Organisation of American States (OAS) and International Education and Resource Network (iEARN), it was part of a wider undertaking, targeting teachers/educators in the Caribbean and Latin America.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, convened at his Lot 26 Brickdam Office, Education Minister Shaik Baksh lauded the graduates and pointed that the training was designed to help the teachers/educators integrate IT in their curriculum.

He also expressed gratitude to the OAS, which has donated 150 computers to promote IT in schools.

Mr. Baksh announced, as well, that the OAS will train a second similar batch, larger than the first. He said the intervention is in conformity with his ministry’s education strategic plan which seeks to equip all secondary schools and 50 per cent of primary schools with IT laboratories in the next five year.

Baksh disclosed that 60 primary schools in all the Administrative Regions have been added to a pilot IT project called ‘Success Maker’ started about three years ago.

Funded by the Government, it aims to enhance the delivery of education using technology as a teaching and learning tool.

In addition, the Education Ministry has been the beneficiary of substantial contributions from overseas alumni to establish computer laboratories here, he revealed.

Baksh said Global Literacy Network (GLN), a Canadian non-governmental organisation (NGO) will make computers available to 120 schools in the next five years.

He disclosed that GLN has already installed 25 systems at Diamond Secondary School on East Bank Demerara and another 20 at Bygeval Secondary on East Coast Demerara.

Baksh said that NGO, a year ago assisted the OAS in setting up a workshop at the Government Technical Institute (GTI) to repair and modify faulty computers.

He said, while Government is putting infrastructure in place for the teaching of IT in schools, it has equally recognised the importance of training teachers to ensure quality delivery.

Baksh said the graduates will be tasked to train 100 IT teachers in Georgetown, in Region 10 (Upper Demerara/ Berbice) and Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) during the current school vacation.

Some of the graduates remarked that
although the course was challenging, it was an enlightening, educational and informative experience of which they are proud.