GTU worried about “reducing CPCE entry requirements”

Mar 13, 2014 News

– draws nexus to situation in nursing education

Recent deliberations relating to a reduction of the entry requirement at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) has attracted a great deal of attention even from among those outside the education sector. The subject matter, which is contained in a Draft Professional Standards for Teachers, was in fact brought to the fore on Monday last when the Ministry of Education spearheaded a stakeholders’ forum which was venued in the Queen’s College, Camp Street and Thomas Road, Georgetown, auditorium.

GTU President,
Colin Bynoe

But according to President of the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU), Colin Bynoe, although some teachers are eager for such a development, consideration must be given to the fact that moves are currently being made towards the professionalization of the teaching system. “From a personal standpoint I feel it is not good for us to reduce our quality of entrance when we are looking at quality assurance now in terms of standardisation of education,” noted Bynoe, during an interview with this publication.
Bynoe’s comments were forthcoming even as he made reference to the situation that obtains in nursing education whereby it is being alleged that the quality of trainees accepted into the nursing programme is in fact affecting the delivery of health care. “What we are seeing in the hospitals is that several people are dying from some really funny reasons…people that need basic treatment, and I want to know if it is because of this type of fast-forward training or reduced entry level qualification,” speculated the GTU President.
According to Bynoe, although the standard entry requirement at CPCE requires that students be accepted with five Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) subjects including English and Mathematics or six CXC subjects, including Mathematics and English, at two sittings, the proposal being touted leaves much to be desired. “Now they are actually saying any amount of sittings but you must have English and Maths. Can you imagine somebody achieving six subjects after 20 sittings and that is what we are looking at as a standard?” questioned Bynoe.
However, he noted that the GTU, as a body, is prepared to support any move that proves to be beneficial to teachers. He emphasised though that there are individual positions among teachers whereby some are convinced that the entry requirement proposal is tantamount to the watering down of the entry level and watering down of the system.
Speaking on his own behalf, Bynoe said that “we see it as going contrary to what we are doing as a consultation because if you are looking at certain levels that are supposed to tie into what is happening in Caricom, then it behoves us to ensure that we maintain standards and not to water it down.”
Bynoe’s sentiments were understandably echoed by the union’s General Secretary, Coretta McDonald, who insisted that the body is certainly not appreciative of a proposal to reduce the entry requirement to the country’s teachers’ training college. “What we are saying is that when you are going to lower the requirement then you are dropping the standard that you are accustomed to all the time…”
“I know yes we want teachers in the system, we want teachers to be trained but then we have to say to our teachers that if you are in this profession you have got to always be striving for higher heights and if it means you have to have a certain requirement to attend CPCE then that should be held there,” cautioned McDonald.

GTU General Secretary, Coretta McDonald

She however, noted that it is understandable if moves are made towards permitting the acceptance of students with in excess of five subjects with Grades One or Two, even with the omission of Mathematics and English, in hopes that they are able to swiftly “get themselves in order.” “In my view that is alright for them to get the time to get the Maths and the English but if you are going to lower that then we are not going to agree with that,” asserted McDonald.
She is adamant that the existing entry requirement should remain intact even as moves are made to work with teachers in order for them to improve their level of qualification which, according to her, will enable them to easily secure entry to the teachers’ training college.