Education Ministry implementing new system for appointing Secondary head teachers
Georgetown, GINA, June 07, 2005
Consultant Dr. Kenneth Hunte (right) briefing Commissioners & Stakeholders on the process of interviewing Head teachers for appointment to Secondary Schools - during a Teaching Service Commission (TSC) Seminar on the new system.
The Teaching Service Commission (TSC) yesterday held a seminar with stakeholders, consisting of members from the Regional Education Committee, the Regional Education Department of Regions 3, 4 and 6 and the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) on the process through which head-teachers will be interviewed prior to being appointed to Grades A and B Secondary Schools.
The seminar was conducted at the Carnegie School of Home Economics on High Street and the stakeholders were briefed on the new system by Officials including, Consultant Dr. Kenneth Hunte.
The interviews form part of the Ministry of Education’s new system for appointments of head-teachers and Chairman of the TSC, Richard Mangar said that the seminar was mainly to ‘fine tune the system for interviewing the Heads on Thursday’.
“It is radically a new system and the first time the Commission will be interviewing prospective head-teachers,” Mangar said.
“The former system entailed that the head teachers fill out an application form and based on the items they filled out, they were scored, and the persons with the highest score got the appointment,” he further noted.
The seminar focused on topics such as administration and management, curriculum, use of technology, interpersonal relationships, contribution to school committee alliance, concern for students’ welfare and commitment to the job as an administrator. These were the areas the stakeholders would examine during interviews and points would be scored accordingly.
The new criteria for appointing head-teachers form part of the Ministry’s improved school management plans under its strategic objectives.
Minister Jeffrey, at a media briefing, April last, had noted that there are many dimensions included in the efforts to improve school management systems, among which are devolution and training, the reform of personnel hiring and promotional policies, more effective planning, implementation and monitoring, and enhancing community participation.
Anticipating that the new criteria for appointing head-teachers and deputy head teachers would have been implemented in 2004, the Ministry of Education had become embroiled in a dispute concerning its attempt to introduce the new performance criteria.
However, it was suggested by Chief Education Officer and the Ministry’s representative on the TSC, ED Caesar that implementation be postponed to 2005, in order to allow for more time for discussions to be held with stakeholders.
The Ministry had agreed to the extension of time and the new criteria are now being implemented.
Minister Jeffrey had observed that the Ministry’s view was that the former method of appointing head teachers was ‘outmoded’ and ‘biased towards length of service, rather than proven capacity to manage’.
“In the new process, applicants are expected to visit the school(s) of their choice and to provide a written presentation indicating their vision for the school and proposals for a two to three year development programme,” Minister Jeffrey said.
Based upon their written presentation, applicants will then be expected to attend the earlier mentioned interview before a panel consisting representatives of the stakeholders involved.
The Ministry had explained to the TSC that the Ministry would agree with the old criteria provided that applicants for headship of grades A and B secondary schools, visit their schools, outline a vision for their respective school and attend an interview.
TOP Ministry’s Municipal Services Division to meet New Amsterdam Town Council - compromise to be made on stallholders’ fees.
Georgetown, GINA, June 07, 2005
Minister in the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Clinton Collymore today said that representatives of his Ministry’s Municipal Services Division will tomorrow meet with the New Amsterdam Town Council to arrive at a compromise regarding the amount of fees stallholders of the New Amsterdam market will pay to the Council.
The meeting will take place in New Amsterdam and follows another meeting held yesterday between the Minister and the Council in his Ministry’s Boardroom, Fort Street Kingston.
The objective of tomorrow’s meeting is to ensure that a compromise acceptable to both sides is met.
The Minister said that it is important that the figures agreed to are reasonable. The vendors have been asked to pay increased fees for stalls from June 01, 2005.
Minister Collymore noted that it is not that the present fees are too high; rather it was because the fees were not being increased gradually. The sudden large increase was what was not acceptable, coupled with the observation that there were certain errors on how the figures were arrived at by the Council.
The Minister compared the situation at New Amsterdam with that at Rose Hall and Corriverton and explained that vendors pay higher fees but the fees were increased on a gradual basis in the two towns.
The Minister pointed out though, that the fees that will be implemented at New Amsterdam will be below what is being asked for now.
During yesterday’s meeting, the format for imposing fees under the Urban Development Programme’s markets, under which New Amsterdam market falls, was examined.
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Child Protection Committees to be established in villages
Georgetown, GINA, June 7, 2005
The Ministry of Labour Human Services and Social Security plans to establish Child Protection Committees in villages throughout the country to monitor and prevent abuse of children and to ensure they are not exploited.
In addition, these committees will be providing counselling services to the community, especially victims of abuse.
The protection of Guyana’s children remains priority for the Government and it is working on a number of programmes to ensure that their lives are safe at all times.
These programmes are being implemented by the Probation and Family Welfare Department of the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security.
Minister within the Ministry, Bibi Shadick said recently said that her Ministry’s position remains the same as it was since its establishment, which is, zero tolerance to child abuse. The Minister is of the view that those who commit such abuse should be severely punished.
Probation Officers of the Ministry are available to advise and counsel victims and even the perpetrators.
“Measures are in place to reach out to all the communities in the country and Government would always be there to assist and extend a helping hand to the Guyanese people, especially the children,” Minister Shadick said.
Some children are abused in their own homes and in order to provide an opportunity for children living under difficult circumstances to attend school, the Ministry undertook the schools’ uniform programme to help children in Georgetown and on the East Coast Demerara. The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs also ensures that all Amerindian communities are served under the school’s uniform programme. Last year’s budget allocated $40M for this programme. Nearly 15,000 children of parents in difficult circumstances received assistance to purchase school uniforms.
The Ministry continues to control and monitor the Night Shelter for street children. An average of 75 persons make use of the facility. The shelter provides a healthy environment for them, away from the streets where they are prone to abuse.
The National Commission on the Rights of the Child (NCRC) which was established in March 1998 is the successor to the National Commission for Survival, Protection and Development of Children. The Commission’s mandate is to protect the rights of children.
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Prime Minister opens book exhibition
- Exhibits to be donated to Ministry of Education
Georgetown , GINA June 7, 2005
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and India's High Commissioner to Guyana Avinash Gupta
The Ministry of Education in collaboration with the National Book Trust of India (NBT) today launched a book exhibition at the National Centre for Educational Research and Development (NCERD).
The three-day exhibition which was declared open by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds will feature hundreds of books on a wide range of topics including Indian folk Arts and Crafts, Cuisine, Religion, and History. The Ministry of Education will be the beneficiary of the books following the exhibition.
Prime Minister Hinds said that education is of paramount importance to his government, and that more that $600M is earmarked to be spent on text books for the primary level for the next academic year, starting in September. This is part of the Education For All Fast Track Initiative Programme.
The Prime Minister said, “The Government welcomes all useful reading material that can be part of the general school curriculum, the library or the co-curriculum.”
Commenting on the relationship between Guyana and India, Prime Minister Hinds said this has been excellent, especially since the two states share common interests such as religion, language, culture, food, and cricket. Additionally, cooperation between the two States has been strengthened with the existing Indian Technical Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme which facilitated the awarding of more than 30 scholarships last year.
Under this programme, persons are being trained at recognized universities in a number of disciplines which includes Science and Technology, Management, Education, Arts and Engineering.
India’s High Commissioner to Guyana Mr. Avinash Gupta said with the scientific, technological and industrial development now being promulgated worldwide, emphasis must be placed on reading.
He said that even though a strong nexus exists between Guyana and India, there are still a lot of misconceptions that can be dispelled by reading. He expressed the hope that maximum use would be made of the books in order to foster an even stronger relationship between Guyana and India.
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Safety a priority for T&HD Vessels
Georgetown, GINA, June 07, 2005.
Safety on board vessels operated by the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) would be further strengthened. The Ministry of Public Works and Communications has embarked on a programme of continuous improvement in this area.
General Manager of T&HD, William Joseph said the programme of improving safety methods includes enhanced fire-fighting techniques and crew education. A number of fire extinguishers and other safety equipment have been purchased by the T&HD for installation aboard all vessels.
It is expected that within the next quarter, the vessels will be equipped to perform more effectively the task assigned, Joseph said.
The T&HD has consistently been placing its vessels in dry-dock to undergo maintenance works in order to provide maximum and efficient service to the travelling public.
The MV Torani has been repaired and is currently providing services at the Rosignol/New Amsterdam ferry crossing. The repaired steering is expected to be replaced shortly. This part of the vessel was damaged in May when a fire erupted in the vessel's engine room, while crossing the Adventure, Essequibo Coast to Parika, East Bank Essequibo route.
The MV Torani was subsequently brought to Georgetown for repairs while the MV Malali was released from dry-dock and returned to provide its usual services at the Essequibo crossing.
According to Joseph, earlier in the year both vessels were docked for their annual maintenance and this was completed at a cost of more than $80M.
The T&HD General Manager, in addressing the issue of overcrowding of vehicles aboard the vessel crossing from Rosignol to New Amsterdam, said with the return of the MV Torani, the situation would be normalized.
He noted that management is committed to resolving as quickly as possible, all issues of inconveniences with regard to T&HD vessels.
Meanwhile, the dredging of the ships' channels, including the Essequibo channel is ongoing. This is a continuous exercise to ensure the channels usually plied by large vessels are clear.
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President makes several commitments to Moruca school children
Georgetown, GINA, June 7, 2005
President Bharrat Jagdeo made several commitments to assist Moruca school children when he visited Region One (Barima/Waini) recently.
The students of both the Primary and Secondary schools were on hand to welcome the President and Public Service Minister Dr. Jennifer Westford to Kumaka.
The Head of State enquired about the needs of the schools. The students requested a computer and a television set, as well as textbooks in response to the President.
The President said both the computer and the television set will be sent to the schools shortly. Additionally, a collection of books will be delivered to the schools’ libraries until the Ministry of Education can supply each student with a textbook.
This is in addition to the many other commitments made by the President in the education sector while he was at Moruca.
TOP Maintenance road programme ongoing
Georgetown, GINA, June 7, 2005
Rehabilitation works on Middle Street in Georgetown has been completed by the Ministry of Public Works and Communications.
The Ministry of Public Works and Communication, as part of its 2005 Miscellaneous Road Maintenance Programme is undertaking rehabilitation of several roads around Georgetown, which were damaged by the flood.
According to Road Maintenance Superintendent attached to the Ministry of Public Works and Communications, Lloyd Rawlins repair works were effected at Middle, Hadfield and Lombard Streets at a cost of approximately $900,000.
Under this ongoing programme, other streets in Georgetown, yet to be identified, will soon be undergoing rehabilitation.
Recently road repairs were also completed at Mandela Avenue, while desilting of drains, also in that area is currently in progress.
Rawlins also said the Ministry would soon begin rehabilitation of the access road to Enmore Martyrsville Housing Scheme on the East Coast Demerara. The Trinidad and Tobago construction company, Dipcon would provide materials for the project.
Other areas identified for rehabilitative road works are Plaisance to Liliendaal on the East Coast Demerara.
The Government of Guyana has allocated some $400M for the execution of the 2005 Miscellaneous Road Programme.
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Investigations into CSEC leakage ongoing- PS Education-CXC officials here
Georgetown, GINA, June 7, 2005
Officials from the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) are presently in Guyana investigating the recent leakage of Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Mathematics and English papers.
This was disclosed today by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Pulandar Kandhi. The Permanent Secretary said members of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), members of the Auditor General’s Office and Education officials are also involved in the investigations.
“It is still premature to disclose all the information, but we have unearthed some interesting information especially as it regards to English and Maths.”
Speaking on the issue of the rescheduled examinations, Kandhi said these are being prepared by the CXC Headquarters in Barbados.
CSEC Mathematics Papers 1 and 11 are scheduled for June 29, while English Papers 1 and 11 will be written on June 30. Mathematics, which was scheduled for May 26, had to be postponed after the authentic paper was found to be in circulation prior to the examination. English Paper 1 was circulating prior to the examination, but was only discovered after it was already written. It was subsequently declared null and void by the Education Ministry and the CXC.
Another team of CXC officials are expected in the country to further strengthen the investigating team. This, he said, would protect the integrity of the entire process and would also ensure the security of the papers.
Minister of Education, Dr. Henry Jeffrey at a recent press conference, said that the breach and sale of examination papers is serious and worrying.
“A prevalent trend of this kind of behaviour does pose a substantial threat to the educational enterprise,” the Education Minister noted. Further, he said that academic dishonesty of this nature can be seen as a part of the society in which it exists.
Minister Jeffrey explained that the improved security arrangements would include the use of the polygraph for indicative and diagnostic purposes.
However, he observed that despite all the security measures, ‘preventing the pattern of dishonesty with examinations is not solely the responsibility of the education system, but of every member of society’.
On Monday, May 23, the Ministry issued a warning to the public and to students writing the examinations that they should not purchase papers in circulation.
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$216M contract signed for secondary schools textbooks
Georgetown, GINA, June 7, 2005
Secondary school students throughout the country will now have improved access to free text books provided by the Government of Guyana.
The $216M contract for the printing of these text books was today signed by the contractors and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Pulandar Kandhi in the Ministry’s boardroom.
The contract entails printing of approximately 53,370 textbooks. According to the PS the 2005 budget allocated a substantial sum of money for the provision of text books for schools across the country. He added that these books are being provided under the Education for All/fast Track Initiative (EFA/FTI).
A contract was awarded to the Caribbean Education Publishers who will be printing some 40,300 books at a cost of $167M; the Nelson Book Turns will be responsible for 5,400 textbooks at a cost of $17M and the Mac Millian Publishing company will be handling some 550 books at a cost of $1.3M.
The subject areas which the book will be printed in are English, Geography, Mathematics, Information Technology, Social Studies, Integrated Science, Grammar books and Atlases.
The Permanent Secretary explained that the books are expected to be supplied within 60 days after the contract is signed. The Ministry of Education recently signed contracts for the printing of textbooks for primary school students across the country.
Cabinet also offered its ‘no-objection’ to the awarding of a $30M contract for the purchase of textbooks for primary and nursery schools in hinterland communities.
Since the accession of the present Administration to Office in 1992, it has made education a priority in Guyana, especially in hinterland communities.
Government has also intensified its uniform assistance programme to the children of low-income families and Amerindian children to help them to access education.
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Amendment for economic growth and democracy agreement signed
Georgetown, GINA, June 7, 2005
Minister of Finance, Saisnarine Kowlessar, United States Ambassador to Guyana, Roland Bullen and United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Interim Mission Director, Lars Klassen, poses with the Amendment to the Strategic Objective Grant Agreement document, signed at the Ministry of Finance on June 7, 2005.
Minister of Finance, Saisnarine Kowlessar, and United States Ambassador to Guyana, Roland Bullen, signed the first annual amendment to the Strategic Objective Grant Agreements, which support activities to foster economic growth, democracy and governance in Guyana, at a ceremony held at the Ministry of Finance today.
Minister Kowlessar in his address indicated that the value of the two agreements is US$20M. The amendments for Economic Growth and Democracy and Governance are valued at US$1.4M and US$1.9M respectively.
The Minister noted that, “these agreements are aimed at strengthening and sustaining the growth of value-added exports, and increasing citizens’ participation in governance.”
Bullen observed that only with sound democratic and transparent governance systems, and strong market-oriented economies that generate jobs, can a society expect to be a full participant in the community of democratic nations that enjoy sustained economic growth.
The Ambassador indicated that, “under the Guyana Democracy Consolidation and Conflict Resolution Program (GDCCR), we’ve provided significant material and technical assistance to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), the Guyanese court system, the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC), and a variety of civil society organisations – all of this in just the short year since we started this programme.”
With the use of new funds, Bullen said, the support provided to these organisations is expected to be broadened and enhanced, and efforts will be made to include additional institutional sectors that are fundamental to a strong democracy in Guyana.
“I can tell you that we are committed to strong, on-going support to GECOM as we move towards elections next year, and we want to work closely with the Government of Guyana, other donors, and indeed all groups in this country that have a real interest in free, fair and accepted elections results in 2006,” the Ambassador said.
The United States Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has over the years supported several projects aimed at fuelling economic growth in Guyana. These include the Guyana Trade and Investment Support Program (GTIS), launched on May 13 by President Bharrat Jagdeo. Bullen noted that through this program, significant strides have been made in increasing the economic well-being of Guyana. GTIS has facilitated work aimed at developing and implementing international trade and investment policies through sectors with export potential, such as non-traditional agricultural products, finished wood products, eco-tourism and the fishing sector.
Also at the ceremony was Minister of Tourism, Manzoor Nadir, Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Office for Investment (GOINVEST), Geoffrey DaSilva and USAID Interim Mission Director, Lars Klassen.
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