DoE Region Six concludes literacy seminar in Berbice
– aimed at encouraging educators to provide transformative teaching methods
– initiative targeted primary and secondary school teachers throughout Region Six
DPI, Guyana, Thursday, October 18, 2018
The Department of Education, Region Six, in conjunction with the Rotary Club of New Amsterdam, recently concluded a two-day literacy workshop aimed at encouraging educators to provide transformative teaching methods to students and exposing them [educators] to strategies that should be employed to improve the performances of learners.
The exercise which ran from October 16-17 and was hosted under the theme: “Keeping Region Six (6) educated and informed” was well attended by teachers from both secondary and primary schools in the East Berbice Corentyne area.
Regional Literacy Coordinator for Region Six, Vanessa Williams told the Department of Public Information (DPI) the workshop placed emphasis on improving the teaching skills of educators at the two educational levels throughout Region Six.
Williams added that based on assessment results, the Department of Education in Region Six has found that there is a need for improvement in composition and expressive writing.
“The Rotary Club of New Amsterdam has seen it fit to come on board with us to enhance the skills of teachers in the delivery and strategies in teaching composition to our learners,” Williams reiterated.
As part of the workshop, facilitator and overseas-based Professor, Ivor Baker, provided the secondary school educators with additional knowledge to provide guidance to their pupils on how to respond to essay questions at the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) Examinations. He also drew attention to the correct use of grammar and punctuation to ensure students accurately construct their compositions.
The professor underscored that the goal was to assist primary school teachers to understand the process of moving from narrative writing to adopting informative writing techniques. The participants were reminded that narrative writing is an expository writing approach that discloses details of an act, event or phenomenon. It tells a story meant to lead the reader to an important conclusion or meaningful realization or life lesson. Informative writing, on-the-other-hand, educates readers on a topic. They can have one of several functions: to define a term, compare and contrast something, analyze data, or provide a how-to. They do not, however, present an opinion or try to persuade your reader.
The initiative was deemed a success by its participants and the Department of Education, Region Six assured that events of such nature will be held regularly.
Story and Images: Kellon Rover.