33 Region Three teachers pursuing Education Management Course
DPI, Guyana, Friday, September 28, 2018
In an effort to improve the management skills of teachers across Guyana, the Ministry of Education through its NCERD Division offers an Education Management Certificate Course which consists of nine modules – one non-examinable and eight examinable.
Teachers are given an equal opportunity to pursue the course once they satisfy the criteria outlined by the ministry. As a partial fulfilment of the Management Course, participants must complete a developmental project in their respective schools and currently, there are 33 teachers from Essequibo Islands-West Demerara who are participants of the course.
Recently, officials of the Regional Administration visited various schools across the region and commissioned projects completed by teachers. At Goed Fortune Primary School a child-friendly library was opened. The Headmistress of that school welcomed the initiative which will contribute to the academic upliftment of her pupils. A similar project was completed at Vreed-en-Hoop Primary School along with a benab which will serve as a waiting area for parents and visitors.
At Wales Primary School, installation of flag poles, a snack room and a reading room were commissioned whilst at Greenwich Park Primary School, the furniture was given a facelift with fresh coats of brightly coloured paint, to make the learning environment more child-friendly. Parika Nursery School commissioned a new state-of-the-art kitchen where it is expected that hot meals will be prepared for the children.
In Region Three, several other schools are in the process of commissioning similar projects which were done by teachers of the respective schools in collaboration with stakeholders. Essequibo Islands-West Demerara has two Master Trainers, Myrtle Caldera and Muriel Mosses, who are directly responsible for the course in Region Three.
Asked about the programme Caldera said, “Outside of the theory aspect of this course, the practical part which deals with the project seeks to test the participants’ ability to communicate with the public. They must involve their community in the completion of their projects. It is about engaging the business community and necessary community stakeholders which will improve interpersonal skills.”
According to Muriel Mosses, the “rigorous course is really a test of the abilities of our teachers and it is a guarantee that when this course is completed and teachers return to their classroom environment positive growth will be seen.”
The programme also requires the teachers to complete 16 assignments. Teachers seeking promotion to HM status are at a greater advantage once they complete the Education Management Certificate Course along with fulfilling the other criteria.
Story and Images: Ganesh Mahipaul