The Ministry of Education (MoE) yesterday rejected claims made by Opposition Member of Parliament, Catherine Hughes, about the Head of the Guyana Learning Channel being related to the Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand.

Hughes, during the fifth day of debate on the national budget both praised and criticised the work of MoE while questioning the experience of Head of the Guyana Learning Channel, Anieshaw Mohamed, and alleging that she and the minister are related.

In her speech Hughes observed, “The Learning Channel quite possibly is the most mass education for the primary and secondary education process in Guyana and it must be commended, but this entity has been unable to reach its full potential because it continues to be constrained by nepotism and limited thinking.

Why should someone who is related to the sitting Minister of Education be running that facility with no broadcast experience and no education background? These are the issues that continue to plague us and these are the issues that have to be addressed.”

Hours after Hughes’ presentation at the debate, the ministry posted a statement on its Facebook page.

“The Ministry of Education strongly rejects the statements made by Opposition Member of Parliament Ms. Catherine Hughes directed to a senior officer within the Ministry, Ms. Anieshaw Mohamed, Head of the Guyana Learning Channel.”

It added, “Mrs. Hughes tried to tarnish the reputation of Ms. Mohamed by stating that Ms. Mohamed was employed to Head the Learning Channel because she is related to the Honourable Minister of Education. This could not have been further from the truth. Ms. Mohamed and Minister Manickchand are not related in any way. This untruth told by the Opposition Member of Parliament should be rejected fully. It was a cowardly act to attack a professional public servant. A woman who is making significant changes in the education sector.”

The release went on to condemn another attack on MoE personnel, this time Chief Planning Officer, Nicola Warrina-Johnson, which was reportedly  made by another Opposition Member of Parliament, Natasha Singh-Lewis, during one of her television programmes.

In defending Warrina-Johnson’s competence, the MoE stated, “Mrs Warrina-Johnson is amongst the most qualified planners in the Caribbean and her services are coveted internationally. Guyana is lucky to have her. She has dedicated her life in service to the Guyanese people and has declined many lucrative offers because she believes in building her country. She is responsible for planning in a dynamic sector for many years now. She is current with education trends internationally and plans for needs as they arise and as they are predicted. Mrs Warrina-Johnson collaborates closely, on the Honourable Minister’s behalf, with International Development Partners and other agencies to implement the Ministry’s programme.”

The MoE asserted that it stands with all its officers as they execute their duties, and cautioned the opposition, “to not involve officers in their political attacks.”

The ministry also called on Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nazir, “to protect the reputation” of persons within various ministries who have no involvement with the affairs of parliament.

Source: https://www.stabroeknews.com/2023/01/28/news/guyana/education-ministry-rejects-opposition-claim-about-learning-channel-head/

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand today commissioned the Mrs. Maureen Massiah Wing  at the Bishops’ High School in Georgetown.

A release from the Ministry of Education said that the new building houses eight additional classrooms for the school, a laboratory, a canteen and a common area where students can sit, eat and socialize.

The new building was named after Massiah to honour her  contributions to the school. She is a former student and served as Principal for 15 years (1987 – 2002). She is the longest-serving Principal at the school, the release said.

Manickchand said that the expansion of the school is to provide more students the opportunities and quality of education offered by the institution. She said that this is the approach at the five national schools (Queen’s College, the Bishops’ High, St. Stanislaus College, St. Rose’s High School and St. Joseph High School).

In addition to the eight classrooms and laboratory, the Education Minister said that the vision was also to provide a space where children could meet and learn more about each other.

Manickchand said that the Ministry is focused on schools producing children who can develop the country and respond to the immediate, intermediate and long-term plans. She said that producing rounded students is a priority for the Ministry of Education. The Minister said, “Our plan, which we’re working on is to have every student exiting high school exposed to and be relatively proficient in playing one musical instrument, a foreign language, one TVET subject and having a strong sense of volunteerism.”

Manickchand informed that from 2023, the Bishops’ High School will allow cross-streaming. She said that this will allow students in any stream to also write subjects that are offered in another stream at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination. She added that Guyana will also look to approaching the completion of School Based Assessments differently to allow students to benefit better from the practical exposure.

Principal of the School,  Shandrina Welcome–Lee while giving a background to the new wing, said that the decision to name it in honour of Massiah was arrived at through consultation with old students and stakeholders. She said it is aimed at honouring one of the most influential and long-serving principals of the Bishops’ High School.

“During her time, she was instrumental in steadying and restoring the standard of education being delivered at the institution. This feat came naturally to her as she understood the illustrious history of the school. She espoused discipline and instilled that to students and staff alike,”  Welcome–Lee noted in her remarks.

In July of 2022, the contract valued at $95.4M was signed following a public bidding process.

Source: https://www.stabroeknews.com/2023/09/11/news/guyana/new-bishops-high-wing-commissioned/

The new Arthurville Primary School on the island of Wakenaam was commissioned yesterday by President Irfaan Ali and the  Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand.

Back in May 2022, the Education Minister visited the island to meet with parents of learners attending the school to address their concerns about the deteriorating building.

A release from the Ministry of Education yesterday noted that Manickchand told the parents then that a new and modern structure would be built at the same location. In February of this year, a contract for the sum of $84m was awarded to rebuild the school.

The new building has eight classrooms, a reading room, an IT laboratory, a kitchen, a staff room and a sick bay. Each classroom is also equipped with a smart screen.

Due to the worsening condition of the school, it was decided in March of last year to move the children and teachers out of the school and have them accommodated at the Sans Souci Primary School.

She told the parents last year that the decision to move the children and teachers was necessary since it was determined that the building was unsafe to use. She said that a decision was made very quickly to have the children and staff moved to Sans Souci since it was the closest school with sufficient room.

 “This school is going to continue but you have to give us time to build it. I can’t know what I know and keep children and teachers here because I won’t be able to live with myself if anything is to ever happen to them,” Manickchand told the parents.

Source: https://www.stabroeknews.com/2023/11/08/news/guyana/new-84m-arthurville-primary-school-commissioned/

After being under construction for close to two years, a $585M state-of-the-art Abram Zuil Secondary School was on Thursday commissioned in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and is expected to change the prospects for hundreds of children.

The modern two storey-concrete structure, which has a glass front, will include 27 classrooms some of which are smart, science and information technology laboratories, a learning resource centre, a multipurpose centre, a cafeteria and a recreational space.

And to cater for persons with disabilities, an elevator is expected to be installed soon.

The school was built to accommodate approximately 750 students; it currently has a population of 681.

It is also expected to ease some of the overcrowding at the Anna Regina Secondary school.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Minister of Education Priya Manickchand said the aim is to ensure every child gets a high-quality of education regardless of which school they attend.

“This is our commitment to you that whichever of the eight schools you go to here on the Essequibo Coast, we are going to deliver the same quality of education,” Manickchand said.

She added, “We can make education equal….Our aim is to ensure wherever you live in this country, whether it’s on a hill top or a sea shore…whenever you live in Guyana you must be able to get a high quality education.”

Manickchand said despite being in a “bad” state physically, the Abram Zuil Secondary school was still performing well.

“This is the school that has the highest matriculation rate,” she said while adding, “so the evidence is there. It is clear that once we invest in you, you will do well wherever you are.”

Noting that Essequibo Coast has unique opportunities, Manickchand said it is the government’s duty to ensure that once students across the region enter the school system, their lives can be changed.

Meanwhile, in delivering the feature address, President Dr Irfaan Ali said with the present state, the Abram Zuil Secondary school will be ranked in the 10 percent of schools around the world.

Dr Ali pledged that the region will continue to see investment as the government continues to create economic opportunities.

To this end, he said the government is currently working on a digital programme which will see teachers being trained in Essequibo.

“The teachers now have the opportunity of becoming trained here…That means that our children would have better qualified teachers, more knowledgeable teachers, teachers who can deliver in a better way to the children. What that rebound to better results,” the President said.

He added, “So it’s a perfect marriage between physical facilities, institutional reorganisation and human resource development. That is what is driving the transformation of our education system.”

And currently, Dr Ali further noted that the government is exploring more measures as to how teachers can develop themselves so that children can benefit.

“We are on a trajectory not only to build beautiful physical facilities but ensure that we build and entire eco system surrounding our education system that is supportive of…the holistic development of our children across Guyana,” he said.

The President said Guyana has been able to achieve universal primary education because of the philosophy and policy orientation of the PPP/C Government.

And the goal now, he said, is to ensure universal secondary education is achieved by ensuring every child has access to a quality secondary education.

Source: https://newsroom.gy/2023/06/23/dream-realised-as-modern-585m-abram-zuil-secondary-school-opens/

Soon the students in the Barima-Waini region (Region One) will benefit from three new schools as part of the Ministry of Education’s effort to achieve universal education in the region.

These schools will be constructed in Huradiah in the Moruca subdistrict, Waramuri and Kwebana.

Following a consultation with residents of Huradiah village, Moruca Sub region, a new primary school will be built in the community which will cater for 250 pupils. To receive an education, pupils in the village travel across the Moruca river to attended the Santa Rosa Primary School, which is currently overcrowded.

Some 10 acres of land were made available for the construction of the school. Pupils from the villages of Huradiah, Cabrora, Acquero and Rincon will benefit from this new school.

Meanwhile, a new secondary school will be built at Waramuri. The modern secondary school will house 400 students. The school will be equipped with Physics, Chemistry and Biology laboratories along with Information Technology, Home Economics and Industrial Technology laboratories, staff room, auditorium and teachers’ quarters to house 10 teachers and will be solar powered.

Students from Waramuri and Haimacabra are expected to benefit from the construction of this school.

Similarly, a modern secondary school which will cater to 500 students will be constructed in Kwebana. Like the school at Waramuri, this complex will be equipped with Physics, Chemistry and Biology laboratories along with Information Technology, Home Economics and Industrial Technology laboratories, staff room, auditorium and will be solar powered.

In addition to catering for 500 students in the classrooms, a dormitory will be built to house 250 children. It also comes equipped with Teachers’ quarters which will house 30 teachers.

The school will serve the villages of Kwebanna, Santa Cruz, Waikerebi, Chinese Landing, Kokerite, Kariako, Warapoka, Assakata, Unity Grant.

The primary school at Kewbana is currently being extended to comfortably accommodate the school’s increasing population. (Modified press release from Ministry of Education)

Source: https://newsroom.gy/2023/03/05/three-schools-to-be-constructed-in-region-one/

The Ministry of Education on Friday celebrated with teachers and parents of the Anna Regina Multilateral School on being awarded the School of the Year 2022 by the Caribbean Examinations Council.

Minister of Education Priya Manickchand and Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Nigel Dharamlall along with other senior officers at the Ministry of Education joined in the celebrations hosted in the school’s compound.

During her feature address, Minister Manickchand commended the students for their hard work. She noted that the Government of Guyana has consciously invested in the equitable distribution of educational resources to ensure students in other parts of the country have access to the materials needed to succeed regardless of their background.

“We want all of you to do well, we want all of you to shine and we are going to make sure we put things in place to make sure you do well.”

She further highlighted that the support shown by the parents of the top performing students greatly contributed to their children’s success.

Minister Manickchand also commended the teachers of Anna Region Secondary for their dedication.

Delivering brief remarks,  Minister Dharamlall extended congratulations to the teachers, students and parents of the Anna Regina Secondary School. He said that being named the Best School in the Caribbean is an enormous achievement.

In their remarks, both the Regional Chairman Region Two, Ms Vilma DaSilva and Regional Vice Chairman, Region Two, Mr Humace Odit congratulated the students on their tremendous achievement not just in the region or country but the entire Caribbean.

In addition to copping the School of the Year Award, Guyana copped the Best CSEC overall, Best  (CAPE) Caribbean Advance Proficiency Examinations  overall, Best Humanities, Best Sciences, Best Technical and Vocational Education and Training, Best Business and Best Caribbean Advance Proficiency Examinations School awards.

Source: https://newsroom.gy/2023/02/11/teachers-students-celebrate-as-anna-regina-secondary-awarded-csecs-school-of-the-year/

Over 800 persons graduated on Tuesday from the Guyana Online Academy of Learning’s (GOAL) Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) and they are now eligible to enter the University of Guyana or the teachers training college.

The SQCF  was offered through a collaboration between Jain University and the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) through GOAL’s Get Ready for Opportunity to Work (GROW). This programme caters to individuals 18 years and older who were either unable to complete their secondary education or obtain four passes at CSEC including Mathematics and English.

According to the Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, the programme was initially started as a way for students to gain access to one university. However over the course of the past two years many other universities have reached out and of the 1,450 students who graduated this year and last year, 88 per cent of them have entered a university.

“We have been feverishly working with the University of Guyana, we have been working with the Cyril Potter College of Education, and are very pleased to report that the University of Guyana will be accepting the SCQF as eligibility to enter the University of Guyana. The Cyril Potter College of Education will be accepting the SCQF as eligibility to enter the Cyril Potter College of education”, she said.

Manickchand assured the graduates that this was not the end of their journey and that the government would sponsor their university education and would be there to “hold their hand through every step of the way.”

President Irfaan Ali in his address said that the government’s vision is to unify Guyana and to give every Guyanese the best prospect in life regardless of their social, educational, or political status. He reiterated the social contract the government had made with the public to provide 20,000 free scholarships to citizens and announced that they have currently been able to distribute around 15,000 scholarships, with 11,000 scholarships going to females. He encouraged persons to sign up for the GROW initiative especially those interested in teaching, caregiving, and hospitality, before going on to highlight the growing need for skilled workers in those fields by stating, “We have a massive hospitality and service oriented sector that will require your skill. Supervision, events planning, managerial, all the levels of skill would be required”, he said.

The ceremony also heard presentations from Candaice Smith who was the valedictorian for the year 2020/2021 and Africa Mcpherson, who was the top graduate for the year 2022/2023. Both women touched on their difficulties pursuing the programme while juggling work and other personal engagements. They thanked God and their family who acted as huge support systems during their journey as well as the Ministry of Education and GOAL for providing them with the opportunity to advance their learning.

A few graduates shared their experiences with Stabroek News on the programme.  Anesha Stephen, who completed the SCQF programme in 2022 and is now pursuing her bachelors in business in human resource management said that GROW helped her branch out by allowing her to study business even though she is currently in the science field. While she did have some difficulties managing her time her classes were enjoyable and she is grateful for the programme. 

Cehanell Semple, a 25-year-old who recently completed the SCQF programme, shared her sentiments. “This programme is like a second chance and a stepping stone into the world of work”, she said. Semple acknowledged that while she did encounter occasional language barriers she enjoyed the course and looked forward to applying the knowledge she acquired as a teacher in the near future.

 The programme was also very helpful for entrepreneurs as evidenced by Sudarshani Ramsingh, a 23-year-old business owner who studied business management. She said the programme helped her deepen her understanding of the managerial aspect of her business and recommends that more people sign up as long as they are prepared to work hard.

As pointed out  by the president in his remarks, GROW has no age limit and as such the programme had a number of older participants such as Natasha Nandalall who is 45 years old. She said that she heard about the programme through media and friends and decided to pursue it because she wanted to be a role model for her children and pursue higher education. She has already applied for a bachelor’s degree and noted that while finding time for the programme can be difficult she does not regret it because it afforded her the opportunity to learn more about Guyana’s history and current events. She also recommends the programme but advises students to avoid procrastination.

A statement from the Ministry of Education said that the SCQF diploma is a comprehensive preparatory programme with seven courses: Communications, Business, Mathematics with Excel, Behavioural Management, Marketing, Introductory Economics, and International Relations.

Persons interested in finding out more about GROW can check out the Guyana Academy of Online Learning at www.goal.edu.gy.

Source: https://www.stabroeknews.com/2023/04/27/news/guyana/over-800-persons-now-eligible-to-enter-university/

With additional teachers taking up their sick days and emergency leave as part of a protest to press the Government to begin salary negotiations, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand today expressed concern that the nation’s children could lose critical hours of learning as many teachers withhold their service.

“So, we are just coming out of a COVID period where we are seeing very forcefully, the effects of children staying home and being without instruction. So, anyone, who asks children to go without education is someone without a conscience. There are very many different ways to resolve issues, and I am hoping that the various bodies and individuals will address their minds to those consequences. Anytime a child goes without teaching, I am concerned,” Minister Manickchand told reporters.

Today marked the fourth school day since hundreds of teachers have been staying away from school in batches, as part of an attempt to force the Government to begin the negotiations on a proposed multi-year agreement, which was submitted more than three years ago.

The proposal addresses 13 critical areas, including issues related to salaries, gratuity, duty free concession, hinterland benefits and grants.

Minister Manickchand said contrary to statements from some union officials, the Education Ministry has been responding to the needs of the teachers.

“We are around giving out, right now, grants to schools, so that teachers have autonomy in their classrooms, and teachers get to independently supply to those classrooms, whatever they say and need, to take teaching and learning further. We have given text books to all of our primary and secondary school children or are in the process of giving those text books, that makes a teacher’s life much, much easier,” she pointed out.

But President of the Guyana Teachers’ Union, Mark Lyte said the piecemeal approach to the multi-year-proposal is not good enough.

He said the important issue of salaries, remains outstanding, and the teachers will continue to utilize various concessions to remain at home, until their demands are met.

Lyte told News Source today that it is clear that the issue is now out of the hands of the Ministry of Education, and must be addressed by the President.

“We have not been contacted since teachers have been showing for the last four to five days that they are willing to support a full fledge industrial action if called upon. But we have had no response coming from the Government side,” the GTU President said.

President Irfaan Ali indicated recently that he will engage teachers directly on the issues confronting them.

Lyte said until that time, teachers will continue to report absent.

He rubbished statements by the Education Minister that suggested that those withholding their services have little regard for the learning loss children may experience.

“I wouldn’t get into a banter in the public with the Government officials but I would say that there is a dire need for our teachers to be paid a proper salary and this is known by our government officials and the sooner they realise that teachers are prepared to withhold their services, the better it would be for us. The sooner they are able to address the concerns of our teachers, the better it will be for us as a nation,” he said.

He said there will be no learning loss if the Government swiftly addresses the concerns of teachers.

According to Lyte, in the Lower Corentyne, 65% of the teachers there were absent on Thursday, while 71.1% of the teachers on the Upper East Bank of Demerara did not show up for school on Friday.

On Monday, 38% of the teachers on the Lower East Bank were a no show, while in Central Corentyne more than 61% of them were absent today.

Source: https://newssourcegy.com/news/education-minister-worried-about-learning-loss-for-students-as-hundreds-of-teachers-continue-sick-out/

The Guyana Learning Channel yesterday wrapped up its second season of Whiz Kids with Marian Academy’s Joseph Prendergast emerging as the 2023 champion, a Ministry of Education (MoE) release stated yesterday.

The release explained that the finals which were held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre in Liliendaal, saw two sets of semi-finalists competing for a spot in the lightning round. Makai Dowlin, Miles Gonsalves, and Aiden Persaud, from the School of the Nations; Demetrius Garaway and Kia Griffith from Jo’sel Educational Institute, and Joseph, were split into groups of three to compete for one of two spots in the playoff round. The pupils answered an array of questions from four categories, English, Science, Mathematics, and Social Studies.

Joseph and Makai scored the most points during their respective rounds. They then had to answer 40 questions each and the pupil with the most correct answers was crowned the winner. Joseph copped first place with 185 points while Makai scored a total of 145 points and was awarded second place. Aiden Persaud was awarded third place. 

All finalists were presented with a certificate of participation.

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, congratulated the participating pupils and commended the team at the Guyana Learning Channel for the effort put into producing Whiz Kids.

She reminded that the Guyana Learning Channel played an important role in education delivery while schools were closed due to the COVID-19 restrictions, and highlighted that daily, the channel produces content which is not only educational but also interactive and entertaining.

Source: https://www.stabroeknews.com/2023/04/01/news/guyana/joseph-prendergast-tops-learning-channel-whiz-kids-contest/

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand yesterday commissioned the Samuel B. Moffat Wing at the East Ruimveldt Secondary School.

The $172.6 million block is a single-flat rectangular building which can accommodate over 150 students. A release from the Ministry of Education says that it houses ten classrooms, the Deputy Headteacher’s office, a furnished Information Technology laboratory and a staff room.  The new wing was constructed by Delp Construction & General Supplies.

Delivering the keynote address, Manickchand stated that the new block was constructed to cater to the growing population of the school. She noted that the Ministry of Education is addressing the issue of overcrowding in several schools.

“We have begun to address this not only at the East Ruimveldt Secondary School but shortly we will be commissioning a new block at the St.Winefride’s Secondary School. We are rebuilding the Christ Church Secondary School, the North Ruimveldt Secondary, the St George’s High School and the St Mary’s High School so by next September we are not going to have a space problem”, she stated.

The Education Minister said that investments are continuously being made in the sector to ensure students receive a quality education. She noted that for the first time, all secondary school students are receiving the textbooks they need.

Headteacher of the East Ruimveldt Secondary School, Katheryn Fraser noted that the school’s intake increased after the COVID-19 pandemic which resulted in students being housed in tents in the school’s compound. She expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Education stating that the new block has solved the accommodation issue.

She explained that the new wing was named after Samuel B. Moffat a former principal of the institution. Fraser said Moffat was a disciplinarian who dedicated his service to ensuring students were provided with the opportunities to compete not only academically by athletically as well.

Source: https://www.stabroeknews.com/2023/09/22/news/guyana/east-ruimveldt-secondary-gets-172-6m-wing/