Latest update November 29th, 2024 1:00 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

There is much more wisdom in repeating a class than to get an automatic promotion

Nov 09, 2010 Letters

Dear Editor,
I am 70 years old and had been a teacher for 52 years, 38 years with the Ministry of Education and 14 years in after retirement service. Many have passed through my hands, some to great heights like Mr. Mohandatt Goolsarran of NCERD and his wife Beena, who is now a retired teacher. Some have also fallen low in their academics and there are those in between.
I was a tutor for pupil teachers studying for their Pupil Teachers Third and Fourth Year Exams. One such person is my wife Nashmoon Bacchus, who retired as a Grade A head teacher, another is Savitree Gocool who is now a senior teacher at Cumberland Primary.
I tutored teachers in Mathematics for CXC as they needed a pass of at least Grade Three to enter the Teachers’ Training College. Several have been successful and are today trained teachers.
When I was a Grade Four pupil at Fyrish Congregational School, now Fyrish Primary, I did not pass to go into Grade Five and had to repeat one year in Grade Four.
I was laughed at by friends and family, but it paid off well because I came first in the July annual exams after repeating.
There was no stopping me after that. I was successful in the Preliminary Certificate Exam, the School Gardening Exam, moved on to the Pupil Teachers Exam, then the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th year Exams and on to Training College.
Mr. Editor, all this would not have happened in my life had it not been for my teacher who made me repeat class 2. There is much more wisdom in repeating a class than to get an automatic promotion, but you move into the new class after two years in the same class as you have to complete school.
A child should not have to leave school because he cannot pass exams, school is much more than passing exams. We educate the child so that he or she becomes fit to live and fit to live with.
I write this letter in support of the view of Mr. Cleveland Thomas, but Mr. Thomas must know that the Ministry of Education is the authority to decide policy.
Ameer Bacchus

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | November, 20th, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

 

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Guyana Beverages Inc. partners with GFF for Maid Marian Wheat Up Women’s Cup

Guyana Beverages Inc. partners with GFF for Maid Marian Wheat Up...

Nov 29, 2024

  (GFF) — Guyana Beverages Inc (GBI) in an effort to contribute to the development of women’s football has partnered with the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) as a sponsor of the Maid Marian...
Read More
GFF provides support to EBFA U14 Boys’ League

GFF provides support to EBFA U14 Boys’ League

Nov 29, 2024

Athletics scores big at NSC National Sports Awards

Athletics scores big at NSC National Sports

Nov 29, 2024

St. Theresa’s Primary triumph in Republic Bank ‘Five for Fun’ National Finals

St. Theresa’s Primary triumph in Republic Bank...

Nov 29, 2024

Wakenaam Masters to face Parika Defenders in T20 softball affair on Saturday night

Wakenaam Masters to face Parika Defenders in T20...

Nov 29, 2024

Bakewell supports Kashif and Shanghai Futsal tourney

Bakewell supports Kashif and Shanghai Futsal...

Nov 28, 2024

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]