Deficiencies and other negatives in education delivery in Region 10

Sep 15, 2017 Letters

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Dear Editor,
I wish to bring to the attention of the relevant authorities some deficiencies and malpractices that need to be addressed urgently within Region 10 and by extension the Education arm of the region. With just under 2 weeks into the new academic year teachers, parents and members of the community have been complaining. The following issues and concerns are plaguing the region:
· Infrastructural works
Schools were asked to submit prior to and sometime after the last academic school year to submit the repair and other needs of the school. With only two week remind it was then that contractions visited some schools to check the work needed to be done and not during the week of July 20th as was stated in a correspondent sent to schools. As such around 60% of the school within this region began this academic year without the much needed repairs. In some instances, parents in the first week were asked to contribute towards painting and repairing of furniture.In some school, especially nursery there is a need for child size furniture. Children were seen lifting some heavy chairs within their classrooms.
· Placement
The ministry policy indicates that children will be placed in the school nearest to their homes. However, for some parents who are working away from the school nearest to their home consideration will be given to have those children placed at another school. This year was the worst ever seen in the region. Some children because of influential individuals in authority or “who know who” were given priorities over those whose should be first placed at the school. Then there were instances where children who were registered at some schools were unable to be accommodated because of afore mentioned situation thereby causing chaos. Ministry Officials need to stop bending the rules to suit their friends and family. You want parents and teachers to follow the ministry of education policy when you as Officers blatantly disregard them.
Another issue on placement is that of teachers and officials being placed at schools and districts since last year and to date these persons have not taken up their positions. Thus, teachers, schools and communities are left to function under the strain. New teachers have also been appointed to these areas, especially Sub-District 2 and like some from last year sent to other schools to be temporarily accommodated.
On the other hand, there are some individual currently being trained to be Field Officers who have neglected their duties at the school to which they were placed because of linkages and are sitting at the Department of Education. In so doing the children placed in their care are suffering due to their absence. If these individual have no intention of returning to the school in which they were place they need to indicate so that systems can be put in place to replaced them. Parents spend a lot of time and effort getting their children to school, it is unfair for these persons to show no regard or respect for those whom they were entrusted to mold or their fellow colleagues who have to take up their duties and responsibilities for which they are being paid for under false pretense.
· Teachers attending CPCE
Time and again educators are being encouraged to upgrade themselves. This year, several Acting, Temporary Unqualified and Temporary Qualified Teachers were accepted to pursue training at CPCE. All of these individuals were appointed by the Teaching Service Commission of Guyana. However we have Officers at the Department of Education and Head Teachers who have indicated to these teachers that with immediate effect they must resign. Thus, forfeiting their family and other financial commitments linked their salary to go on a stipend of $7000 per month. The problem with this, however, is that other regions have teachers seconded to attend CPCE with their full salary and other working while attending college. What makes Region 10 any different when a college is within reach of these teachers.
Moreover, while some were instructed to cease teaching immediately, others were granted a concession to continue at their school and attend college. Then there are others within the department who are currently students of CPCE but working and receiving their salary. Where’s the fairness in that? These teachers are also human and the fact that some are enjoying preferential treatment is very unfair to the others. In conclusion, I do hope that the Ministry of Education central; Guyana Teachers Union and Teaching Service Commission are taking note to address these matters in urgently before they escalate further.
Lunetta Mars

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