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Training schools for teachers must not just be stepping stones – Chief Education Officer
– urges more ‘hands on’ approach for educators
“Bear in mind that, at the core of all the coaching you’ve experienced – and all of the transformations
Chief Education Officer (CEO) Olato Sam
at these institutions – are the students in the classroom; that child whose life will be forever transformed because the teacher at the front of the class received the highest quality preparation from the CPCE and UG. That is why we come out to work everyday…I urge you to demonstrate, in a really tangible way, the knowledge you would have acquired,” Chief Education Officer Olato Sam urged.
Sam made the passionate plea during the closing ceremony for the Guyana Improving Teacher Education Project (GITEP).
GITEP yesterday certified a number of educators from both the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) and the University of Guyana, who had undergone a year of intensive training in the areas of Science, Mathematics, Reading and Writing, and Special Education Needs.
During his brief remarks, Sam stressed the importance of capacity building opportunities for lecturers such as the recently concluded GITEP program. He said too, that clearly defining developmental pathways for teachers and educators was important and allowed institutions to constantly raise the bar.
However, Sam said, a “natural prerequisite” was the extent to which lecturers felt that they had opportunities for self-actualization. He further said that teachers must “become one with the institution”.
“The institution should not be used as a stepping stone towards greater things, but viewing it as their place to fulfill lifelong careers,” Sam said.
The CEO noted, however, that “this would not happen just because we wish it”. He explained that concerted efforts must go into finding avenues for the professional advancement of all teachers and educators. These efforts, he said, must go beyond remuneration.
“As such, I would urge all lecturers to constantly challenge your institutions to facilitate your continuous professional development as a key element of your professional arrangement,” Sam said.
Sam also urged the lecturers to use their newfound knowledge and translate it into “hands on” approaches to education. Sam emphasised that education must move beyond being strictly academic.
The CEO noted that oftentimes teachers mirror the teaching they themselves received. He said too, that it was vital that teachers employ new strategies to inculcate into the system.
“Progressive pedagogy has to be lived, not just taught, and it is time that we move away from the academic approach to teacher training to a more hands on and practical approach that will enable our charges to mirror this type of methodology,” Sam said.
Meanwhile, Sam did not reserve his advice for only the lecturers and also dished out some wise words to the high-ranking officials from the CPCE and UG.
Sam advised the Principal of CPCE Viola Rowe and Dean of the Faculty of Education and Humanities at UG, Alim Hosein, to demonstrate strong and decisive leadership.
“Lead your team with a clear plan of action,” Sam urged, “I think you all have the opportunity to leave an indelible mark on your respective institutions and the future standings of our teacher training and teacher education structures in this country. This is a very interesting time to be involved in this business of teacher education and training, and I hope that you embrace this experience and let nothing hinder you from attaining your lofty objectives. If you lead, the others will follow.”
Sam explained that capacity building at the CPCE institution had come a long way over a number of years. He described the institution as being previously “starved of adequate and appropriate human and physical resources”. He said too, the institution had possessed a somewhat antiquated curriculum “devoid of many of the quality assurance mechanisms that could be really vital for efficiency”.
Furthermore, Sam noted that there was a non-existent relationship with the School of Education and Humanities.
“But we have a long way. We have finally forged a lasting relationship with UG, and I must commend the work of our principal here and the lecturers and the dean. Our relationship is an excellent one and I certainly see us moving forward in a mutually beneficial way,” Sam said.
Nonetheless, he emphasized, that the process is far from complete and should be viewed as an “ongoing evolutionary experience”.
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