MOE using Information Technology to improve student performance
DPI Guyana, Thursday May 17, 2018
The Ministry of Education (MOE) is focusing on result-oriented approaches to improve performance among primary school students by using web-based solutions.
The Ministry is currently expanding its web-based training for Headteachers of various Primary schools using a program called ‘Analytics’.
Deputy-Chief Planning Officer Nicola Johnson told DPI that the program which targets students from Grades Two through Six began in 2017. “This is basically the expansion phase. The idea is to expose schools to using data for their school improvement planning process,” Johnson said.
The Ministry’s intention is to aid teachers in using this technology to assist in their respective school improvement planning processes. She explained, “In the case of analytics, we’re using this web-based solution where we’re compiling reports based on robust statistical analysis, drilling down reports to the level of the students for Grade Two, Four and Six.”
She further added, “We [want to] know not just whether they pass the subject, but what competencies children are getting form specific subject areas. So [we are] drilling down to those levels, [that] is what analytics will allow us to do using the internet.”
Johnson told the group of headteachers at today’s training that the MOE is focused on attaining results for the nation’s children. “The students will benefit tremendously. Once headteachers use this analysis the way it should, then they will be able to plan targetted remedial intervention to catch students before they end a particular cycle and thus, it will improve their student performance.”
Also present at today’s training was Region Four’s District Education Officer (DEO), Immanuel Bridgewater, and headteachers from J.E. Burnham Primary School, St. Angela’s Primary, Comenius Primary, St. Ann’s Primary, Bel Air Primary, Thomas Moore Primary, Rama Krishna Primary, Graham’s Hall Primary and South Ruimveldt primary School.
By Nateshia Isaacs
Images courtesy of Leon Leuong