“Class sizes will affect output in terms of performance”

“Class sizes will affect output in terms of performance” – GTU President

Aug 31, 2017 News

There is no denying that tactical interventions to address shortcomings in the school system have helped to considerably improve students’ performance. Testimony to this is the deliberate mathematics intervention which was introduced last year by the Education Ministry at the primary school level that helped to realise astounding results.
When the results of the 2016 National Grade Six Assessment were released in June, it revealed a 46 percent pass rate as opposed to 14 percent in 2016. It was in fact an elaborate emergency programme that attracted sizeable spending by Government that helped to achieve this improved performance.
In light of the fact that the 2017 Caribbean Secondary Education Certification examination did not yield such laudable results, officials of the Ministry of Education have suggested the introduction of a similar intervening programme much like the one introduced to improve the NGSA Mathematics performance.
“We are going to mirror some of the things we have done in relation to the National Grade Six Assessment that we saw improvement in, in terms of preparing an action plan to deal definitively with areas of weaknesses,” said Chief Education Officer, Mr. Marcel Hutson.
But according to President of the Guyana Teachers Union [GTU], Mr. Mark Lyte, while the NGSA programme was said to be a Cabinet decision, there has been no indication that the intervention at the secondary level has been similarly sanctioned.
In light of this belief, Lyte said that the onus is on the Ministry of Education to involve all key stakeholders, including the union, before proceeding with such a programme. “The union is a key stakeholder and yet we are not called upon to give input. For the NGSA intervention, the Union was involved after the fact and this should not be the case…they said it was Cabinet decision, but I don’t know that an intervention like that for secondary schools is also a Cabinet decision,” asserted Lyte.
Lyte is convinced that the education system could achieve the desired results simply by addressing some existing shortcomings in the system. Chief among these, he noted, is the issue of class sizes. “We have recognised that too large class sizes can affect how our children are taught,” said the GTU President yesterday as he pointed out that the Union has long proposed that “class sizes will affect output in terms of performance.”
He noted yesterday that while the Ministry has admitted that class size is an important issue that must be addressed “they have not made any announcement. They will have to issue a circular that will advise on the size of classes; I am not aware that any circular has been prepared to address this matter even though they have acknowledged that smaller class sizes will enhance students’ performance,” said Lyte
“They have not done anything to move forward with that matter. While they have acknowledged that yes, this will help, there is nothing instructing administrators of schools that they should have smaller classes.”
General Secretary of the Union, Ms Coretta McDonald, has publicly disclosed that the GTU has over the years been furnished with reports of classes in the public school system having over 55 children at both primary and secondary levels.
But McDonald intimated that the situation at the secondary level could be easily appeased as students usually have periods with different subject teachers. However, at the primary level, she noted that the task could prove to be difficult but not impossible to address, if the goal of the education system is to improve performance.
GTU’s comments regarding the need to address class sizes were in fact prompted by surveys it had conducted. “We recognised that large classes are going to create a negative impact in terms of the way in which we deliver in our classrooms,” said McDonald as she pointed out that “when you have to work with children coming from, let’s say three different levels – those who are ready, those who are part ready and those who are not ready – having a class of 45, you know how difficult it would be to deal with those children.”

Latest News

“Class sizes will affect output in terms of performance” – GTU President

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | November, 20th, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Battle for Glory: Petra-MVP Sports Girls U11 Football Championship...

Dinar Trading and Forrester’s Concrete solidify...

Linden vs. Georgetown rivalry takes centre stage...

Diamond Mineral Water Indoor Hockey Tournament...

Top athletes and officials recognized at 2023...

Guyana Beverages Inc. partners with GFF for Maid...

Features/Columnists

The Windfall Tax paradox

Rising Gun Crimes in the Caribbean: Urgent Action required by all

What sense third parties, then

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

“Class sizes will affect output in terms of performance” – GTU President

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | November, 20th, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]