Major improvements of CSEC results in Region 3
DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, December 18, 2018
The Department of Education for Region 3 held its annual evaluation on December 18 to reflect on the achievements and challenges of 2018 and to chart a course for 2019.
Delivering the report for the secondary sector within the department was District Education Officer (DEO), Devendre Persaud who noted that the region has much to celebrate especially with the improved matriculation rates at most secondary schools.
“CSEC results have shown a drastic improvement in the matriculation rate at most of our schools and I am pleased to say that the most improved Secondary School was Stewartville Secondary moving from a matriculation rate of 30 per cent in 2017 to 61 per cent in 2018,” remarked DEO Persaud.
He further noted that all parents and guardians have received the usual uniform vouchers which assisted in easing the financial burden of parents and guardians, and all schools were able to access field and office grants which assisted in the delivery of the curriculum.
“All the parents uplifted the school vouchers that are provided to them by the government and all schools were also able to uplift their school grants to assist in the field and office exercises which helped in the delivery of the curriculum. Headteachers, we did well in our region but despite this remarkable improvement we still face some challenges and most, if not all of the challenges, have to do with the teachers’ tardiness. I am using this opportunity to call on our teachers to continue their hard work and improve for the sake of our nation’s children,” noted Persaud.
As part of the projections for 2019, Persaud said the budget reflects an increase in field and office grants for all schools, and also schools will be provided with janitorial supplies hence schools can spend their grants on materials that will play a more direct role in the delivery of the curriculum. Also, it was mentioned that West Demerara and Zeeburg Secondary Schools will be equipped with smart classrooms and La Parfaite Harmonie a new state of the art Secondary School which will cater to over 1,000 students. Smart classrooms are technology enhanced classrooms that foster opportunities for teaching and learning by integrating learning technology, such as computers, specialized software, audience response technology, assistive listening devices, networking, and audio/visual capabilities. Also mentioned was the reinstating of 24-hour security officers at each school.
The secondary sector plans to hold eight HM meetings, seven face-the-community meetings and 28 scheduled team visits to the 14 secondary schools in the region. Also, 60 impromptu visits to secondary schools by supervisors are scheduled for 2019.
Story and Images: Ganesh Mahipaul.