US$ 5.12M teacher training project launched

Government has launched the Guyana Improving Teacher Education Project (GITEP), aimed at improving learning in the classrooms by advancing the quality and delivery of teacher education.

The project is supported by the World Bank, which will provide US$ 4.2 million of the total cost. The GITEP will also look at improving the management of teacher education programmes offered both at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) and the University of Guyana.

Education Minister Shaik Baksh, in addressing the gathering on Wednesday, said that the project will see greater developments being made in the education sector. Baksh said there has been a lack of quality teacher training, and noted that it will be improved through the new components of the project. Baksh also stated that the quality of graduates coming out of the CPCE over the past few years has not been excellent, but the new project will also improve this situation significantly.

It will also look to improve several other areas, including the delivery of lessons, with strategies catering to the needs of students from both hinterland and coastal regions.

Baksh called on teachers to take their profession seriously and understand the quality they are required to deliver in each lesson taught on each working day. He also mentioned that educators nationwide have much to gain from the GITEP when it is fully rolled out.

In the next academic year, the Education Ministry will ensure that head teachers of Grade A or Grade B primary or secondary schools are not appointed unless they have an education degree. The GITEP will also look to address the time span in which a teacher can complete training up to the university level, and will move to eliminate the certificate in education offered at the University of Guyana. The current continuous professional development programme will also be advanced through this new project.

The GITEP is divided into three components: improving the quality and efficiency of teacher education delivery, building human resource and capacity for more effective teaching and learning communication, and project management and monitoring and evaluation.

The first component is in tended to develop appropriate courses and terms of reference for administrators, faculty, lecturers and tutors both at CPCE and UG. It will also look at improving the quality and implementation of the practicum for the Associate Degree in Education (ADE), Bachelor of Arts in Education programmes, and designing and implementing an induction year for all ADE graduates.

Special emphasis will also be placed on advancing the use of ICT skills in the delivery of education.

The second component will look at strengthening the management of CPCE and the School of Education and Humanities at UG, strengthen the quality of teacher educators at CPCE and UG, and improve library access and resources.

The final component of the GITEP will focus on updating and implementing a public communication campaign to inform stakeholders of potential benefits and changes in education policy and teacher education programmes, including website and communication outreach. The head of the GITEP is Dr Tota Mangar.