Fifty-three volunteer teachers received certificates on Friday, August 26, after completing intense training under the aegis of the Education Ministry. This new batch of volunteer teachers will be dispatched to different hinterland communities throughout the country for one year. The batch was urged to be more than just tutors, but guardians and mentors to the children who will fall under their direct responsibility.
Those teachers were also urged to participate in and otherwise be helpful in developing the communities to which they would be sent.
Education Minister Shaik Baksh, Chief Education Officer Olato Sam, and TSC Chairperson Leila Ramson pose for a picture with the 53 new volunteer teachers
Education Minister Shaik Baksh praised the volunteers for taking up the challenge to work in the hinterland. He set the Education Ministry a new task — to have at least 100 teachers in the next batch. He opined that it would be a tough task and, in some cases, hard for teachers to adapt to their new environment, but he promised that the ministry will work to ensure the teachers are in good hands. According to him, those teachers will benefit from several allowances, so as to sustain themselves; and in cases where there are no living quarters for teachers, the ministry will pay the rent for their accommodation.
The Education Ministry, he said, has been leading the way in facilitating volunteerism. It is a good step towards personal and professional development for the volunteer teachers, he said. This can help them to pursue careers in the field of education and training. The minister committed to helping volunteer teachers upgrade their qualifications, and to create special classes for them to continue training when they return from their year-long stint in the hinterland.
At their graduation ceremony, the teachers were presented with text books and other educational materials.
Chief Education Officer Olato Sam encouraged the graduands to make good use of the opportunity to develop their professional skills. Sam told the volunteer teachers that they would be participating in one of the most remarkable jobs.
He encouraged them to pursue careers in education, and reminded them to upgrade their qualifications if they wished to undergo formal training at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE). He also expressed satisfaction in the response the programme has been receiving, and predicted that it would grow over the years.
Anil Harilall, a representative of the Canadian International Development Agency, shared his experience as a volunteer teacher with the new batch.
Harilall said it was a fulfilling and inspiring experience for him. He said CIDA is pleased to be associated with the programme, and sees it as a way to help in the advancement of education in those distant communities. He expressed hope that the teachers would take up the challenge and do their best for the children under their care.
The Volunteer Teachers Programme has been ongoing for three years now. It is a joint initiative collaboratively run by the Education Ministry, CIDA, and Youth Challenge Guyana.
Over the years, the programme has seen volunteers serving the communities for another year. The programme has also seen great success, and has helped to improve the levels of numeracy and literacy in the communities that benefit from the services of volunteers.
Training is usually provided by senior education officials and trainers of the National Centre for Educational Resource Development.
This graduation ceremony was attended by several top officials of the Education Ministry, Teaching Service Commission Chairperson Leila Ramson and CPCE Principal Debra Thomas, among others.
The new batch of volunteers is expected to take up their post in the new academic term beginning September 5, and will be placed at several primary schools.
