Guyana Learning Channel to extend signal in 2013

By Lakhram Bhagirat

Head of the Guyana Learning Channel, Dr Seeta Shah Roath

Amidst criticism of its content, the Guyana Learning Channel (GLC) said that as part of its 2013 mandate, plans are in train to extend its signal to capture a nationwide audience. Some parents are questioning the content the channel airs and its entire operational procedure.
The Educational Television Broadcasting Service (ETBS) Channel 80, was officially launched on April 1, 2011, but was later renamed the Guyana Learning Channel, the same month. The objective of the channel is to provide quality learning materials to students of all ages through its various programmes.

NCERD
The channel is part of the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD), which is a major agency of the Education Ministry. The channel operates as an open educational entity and is completely non-commercial.
The programmes range from pre-kindergarten to those for lifelong learning, and are part of the public education system involving teachers, students, subject specialists, and curriculum developers. However, the programmes are often questioned by parents since the content seems to be “too Americanised”, and do not address the Education Ministry’s school curriculum.
Head of the Learning Channel, Dr Seeta Shah Roath, said that local programming is at its “optimum” and there are continuous training of curriculum experts and teachers in writing for instructional television using curriculum guides and lesson plans.
“Programme development is executed by the collaboration among producers at the station, subject specialists at NCERD and the education system as a whole, plus with freelancers such as Russel Lancaster, Michael Khan, literature and science teachers and other experienced local educators and communicators,” she said.
“In addition, we have acquired quality local programming from Videomega, who has worked along with NCERD’s Science Coordinator and Conservation International to produce a series of programmes on climate change and understanding how our environment works. The mangrove project is another source as an offshoot from our Science programme here at NCERD,” she added.
The channel is also in the final stages of producing a series of programmes in collaboration with the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry. The programmes are said to originate from the Inter-Guiana Cultural Festival and Science workshops conducted during the recently held Indian Science Fair.

Local programmes
Meanwhile, some of the local programmes broadcast include Mathematics from Grade 7 to Grade 10, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, English, Social Studies, quizzes, debates, spelling bees, panel discussions on issues of concern to parents and teachers, examination tips, including best practices in preparing SBAs, public service tips addressing social issues, national songs, karaoke, Spanish instructional programmes, sign language instructional programmes, folk traditions and cultural documentaries, lectures, and Guyanese history.
These are some of the programmes that concern parents, and these are the visibly Americanised ones, but the GLC dubs them local programmes.
“The physics and chemistry programmes they air are not local stuff and when the children watch those programmes and go into classes, they are often confused because teachers teach another thing,” a parent, Tarawattie Persaud, said.
Persaud said she encourages her child to view just certain programmes on the GLC since it is her view that the channel does little good. “How can we have a learning channel showing movies such as Princess Diaries and Madagascar, and then tell me it is educational… it’s just a waste,” she said.

Positive responses
The GLC head said the channel has also received positive responses from students, teachers, and parents, who are the main target audiences of the station. She noted that surveys conducted in different communities across the country found “the general cry that the Guyana Learning Channel provides education in a fun way” and students have stated that their grades have improved greatly after watching the channel.
“Teachers have said that the Guyana Learning Channel introduces and provide substantive information in ways that the children can understand concepts taught in schools, so much so that the children who watch, actually are able to discuss the topics when they are being taught in the classroom. Students declare that they can revise their lessons taught in school by watching the channel,” she added.
She noted that some parents have asked for repeats of different programmes, including the short bites in the early mornings and late afternoon revision sessions. She added that there has also been good feedback on the storytime programme aired at 11:00h and the movie shown at 20:00h, which are chosen with the students in mind.