It is not clear that budget expenditure equates to better quality education

Sep 05, 2022 Letters

Dear Editor,

As our children across Guyana begin a new school year, I wish to shed some light on the difficulties experienced by parents. We have some very good teachers in Guyana who are caring towards their students and dedicated to their success. Those teachers are the cornerstone of our society. That said, there are a few that make confusing choices and inconsiderate demands on students and their parents. Perhaps this is not the fault of the teachers but a void of guidance left by the Ministry of Education.

The material that parents have to provide for their children varies from school to school and the requirements seem arbitrary and completely at the whim of the teacher. I know of a parent with a new Grade 1 child that has to provide 8 books for that child when she has just learned to form her letters and to spell a few words. Those books have to be papered and plastic wrapped with printed labels. I, myself, having a child the exact age was grateful that the teacher at my school only asked for 4 books because she had condensed some subjects into one book. Also her requirements for papering and labeling was more flexible. My parent friend had to travel a few miles to the nearest town to a print shop, three children in tow to complete her labels. Also her troubles did not end there, she was also demanded to take a second photo (she already provided one for registration) that a school sanctioned photographer would take for her child’s file.

I have noticed this kind of relationship with teachers and providers. They seem to make demands with the sole intention of driving business to a friendly businessman. Guyana is rife with this corrupt culture that undermines all levels of government services. I do not understand why the Ministry of Education does not standardize these things but instead leave us to be the victims of some short-sighted teachers.

Need I talk about the bring-and-buy sales? The parents would spend cumulatively fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) for a class and the teacher would only make ten thousand dollars ($10,000). I suggested to a teacher once, why don’t we donate the money directly to the school for it to afford supplies and eliminate wastage, she said it was not allowed. So we the parents have to be burdened by expenses that do not even contribute to our children or the school.

I myself am willing to forego the cash grant for my child, if I never have to hear that the teacher is asking for money for test papers or supply X anymore. The Ministry of Education constantly touts its budget and expenditure towards education in the country but the devil is in the details, does that necessarily equate to a better quality of education? It is not clearly evident.

A concerned parent

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