Manickchand calls for partnership to improve performance of students

Education Minister Priya Manickchand said for Guyana’s children to be able to live enhanced lives, a sturdy partnership among the government, the ministry, teachers, parents, students and the community is required. The minister made the remarks during an address to hundreds of Region Two teachers last Saturday.

Manickchand was accompanied by Chief Education Officer Olato Sam, Permanent Secretary Delma Nedd, Assistant Chief Education Officer (Primary) Marcel Hudson and School Board Secretariat Coordinator Melcita Bovell. Regional Chairman Parmanand Persaud, outgoing Regional Education Officer Leslyn Charles and other regional officers were also present.
Region Two in 2012 produced Sarah Hack, the country’s top student at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations. Not only did the 16-year-old top her country, she also secured the top spot in the Caribbean. Hack attended the Abram Zuil Secondary School on the Essequibo Coast.
Improving consistently
Over the last three years, the region’s CSEC performance has been improving consistently and this can be attributed to the fact that on the Essequibo Coast, 78 per cent of teachers are trained.
Also, there are 40 teachers attending the University of Guyana (UG). With regard to the riverine teachers, they are second to the Essequibo Coast for upgrades prior to moving on to the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE).
“Guyana has been taking the lead in many areas… we help to contribute to saving the world by not cutting down our trees while at the same time we are putting food on our tables… we have a big contribution to make and the only place we could really make it is through the education system,” Minister Manickchand told the large gathering.
The education minister also spoke to the teachers about the distribution of the uniform vouchers, exercise and text books and the school feeding programme (juice and biscuit).
She acknowledged that while the government is making these investments, it is important that a good relationship be had between the Education Ministry and parents.

Good parents
“A good parent does not have to have millions in the bank account… a good parent has to understand that they have to be supportive,” the minister emphasised.
She also spoke about the policy regarding automatic promotion which will be revised with effect from September. Other issues included the new age for entrance into nursery school, graduation fees and payments for test papers, hotline numbers introduced to provide rapid response to concerns and, by extension, provide a direct line of communication between the ministry and the public.