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Education Ministry to probe teaching hindrances – CEO
“With innovation comes great expectation,” was the notion emphasised by Chief Education Officer (CEO), Olato Sam, when he addressed the audience at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) graduation on Thursday.
While it is expected that graduates of the institution should reflect the quality fitting the investment made towards their training, “we are yet to see the direct transfer of best practices reflected in the training experience consistently applied all across the education system,” Sam said.
Chief Education Officer, Olato Sam
“This continues to be an area of deep concern for the Education Ministry. Teacher educators and managers alike, lament the continued regression we see from individual graduates from CPCE.”
Sam noted that the onus is on the Ministry of Education to launch an investigation to ascertain the barriers that are preventing transfer of skills to the pedagogical experiences teachers are tasked with engaging.
He said that innovative tactics have been introduced into the education system, to cater to its moving away from the “very traditional, essentialist education environment that dominated our classrooms all across Guyana to a more progressive, student-centred and relevant education philosophy.”
Sam asserted that for many of the educational institutions that fall under the purview of the Education Ministry, their mode of operation has not yet matched what is known to be theoretically sound.
“Many within our ranks are stuck in the mirage of antiquated pedagogy which stifles individual growth, creativity and retards critical thinking and inquiry…We must fight against this as a new pack of (our) educators (are) charged with transforming our dreams into reality for the education system.”
In his remarks to the graduates, Sam forewarned them that they will face serious opposition from “those wardens of traditions.” “You will be accused of wanting to show them up; you will be called names…The most recent one I heard was cardboard teachers, (these are teachers) who worked hard to create their own teaching aids to stimulate learning in the classroom”.
The CEO impressed on the graduates, and by extension teachers within the system, that they should not be deterred in their quest to raise the standard of the education system while in the classroom.
“You are our only hope for a new age in education where our teachers are innovative risk takers, willing to be challenged, and eager to move the system forward.”
Turning his attention specifically to the 336 students who graduated on Thursday, Sam reminded them that they are the highly intelligent products of the country’s premier teacher training institution and should therefore conduct themselves as such.
“You are special, you are the first recipients of the induction experience specifically designed to help you further develop your skills in a guided, nurturing environment.”
He further urged them to utilise the opportunities available to the fullest and to be willing at the same time to “share your ideas and knowledge freely to move others along with you. Do not shy away from opportunities to demonstrate your talents,” he stressed.
Of the 336 graduates, 74 are trained to deliver Early Childhood education, 110 are trained to deliver Primary education and 152 are trained for the secondary level.
This has, by extension, allowed for CPCE to surpass its mandate, as was announced by the Education Ministry in 2008, to contribute 70 per cent trained teachers to the education system.
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