Minister of Education Priya Manickchand has praised the dedication of teachers who have worked hard over the years with students to ensure good results despite the difficulties the COVID-19 pandemic posed to learning, and she said she was “over the moon” that students from schools outside of Georgetown were again among the top performers in this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams.

On Thursday, she announced that Alex Muntaz, a student from the Anna Regina Multilateral School on the Essequibo Coast, secured the most Grade Ones in this year’s CSEC. Muntaz gained 23 Grade Ones and four Grade Twos. This is the second year in a row that the Anna Regina Multilateral School has secured students with the most Grade Ones in the country.

The student with the second highest number of Grade Ones in this year’s CSEC exams is Virendra Dookie of the Saraswati Vidya Niketan School on the West Coast of Demerara. He scored 19 Grade Ones and One Grade Two.

Manickchand noted that there was a time when top performers mainly came from Queen’s College in Georgetown. She reasoned this was because the top performers at the Grade Six Assessment are placed at Queen’s College.

“…So clearly other schools weren’t really adding value,” Manickchand said in an interview with the News Room at the Anna Regina Multilateral School.

As a result, she praised teachers, such as those at the Anna Regina Multilateral School, who are “working on adding value.”

“This school particularly has, I think 69 teachers, and the dedication that they put into these students is really turning out fruit and we’re very, very pleased about that.

“So, I’m over the moon.”

She noted that the children who wrote this year’s CSEC were displaced or were limited in accessing classes for the few years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the overall results of this year’s CSEC exams have to be seen in that context.

“That was a really hard time.

“It affected many things – their SBAs (School Based Assessments), their literacy levels, the practicality of what they were doing, and you’re seeing that in results, not only here in Guyana but across the region,” she stated.

Manickchand pointed out that there was a prediction from studies that because of COVID there would be premature school leaving (school dropouts) and a great amount of learning loss.

“And we’re measuring those things and you are actually seeing it.

“We have been able to stem the dropouts – the school leaving – because we really worked very hard to try to get everybody back in.

“But we are seeing some learning loss and those are reflected in these results – and these are things we have to practically face.”

Manickchand predicted that there would be opportunistic opposition politicians or others who would criticise the results, but she said the impact of COVID-19 has to be taken into consideration.

“We have to now speak of the impact of COVID in a way that serves our children’s best interest, and I’m prepared to have that conversation.”

Source: https://newsroom.gy/2023/08/25/csec-results-manickchand-praises-dedication-of-teachers/

Teachers across Guyana will receive cash grants to purchase classroom supplies each term, Minister of Education Priya Manickchand announced on Friday when the distribution started.

Educators teaching on the coast will receive $4,000 per to make purchases for each student in their classroom while teachers in the hinterland will receive $5,500 for each student in their classroom.

“The child doesn’t get the money, the value of $4,000 goes to the teacher.

“So for a classroom with 30 children the teacher is going to get $120,000 per term to buy whatever she wants to buy in the lines of janitorial, field and office.

“In the hinterland it’s going to be $5,500 per child because things are more expensive and transportation costs and so on take up prices. A class of 30 in the hinterland would be $165,000 that teacher is going to be getting per term for preparation in the classroom,” Minister Manickchand explained in a video posted to her Facebook page on Friday.

This assistance is part of the holistic approach taken by the Education Ministry to respond to the needs of teachers with training, smaller classrooms and now cash grants.

Over the years some regions gave grants to schools and the goods were bought in bulk but teachers said things that they already had were being stocked up, meaning actual needs were not met and items were delivered after long periods of waiting

Minister Manickchand added that the teachers and parents have over the years complained about having to provide the materials for classrooms from their own pockets. As such, the Minister raised the issue at Cabinet and it was approved.

The grants allow teachers to prepare and maintain their classrooms as they see fit by purchasing the janitorial, office and field supplies that they need such as chalk, play-doh, markers, cardboards, crayons and cleaning supplies.

Source: https://newsroom.gy/2023/09/15/teachers-get-grants-to-buy-classroom-supplies/

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand commissioned the De Willem Secondary School in Region Three. The new school will accommodate over 350 learners.

She said that from Monday, the Primary Top students attending Saraswat Primary School will no longer have to attend a Secondary Class in a Primary School but from Monday will be attending a discrete secondary school to receive a complete secondary education.

Further, she said that there are secondary-aged learners in Lanaballi, Saxacalli, Omorashi and lower and upper Bonasika who are unable to access a secondary education who have been enrolled into Primary Tops. The Education Minister elatedly announced that either next week or the following week, those students will be attending a discrete Secondary School, the Leonora Secondary School. Those students will be housed in dormitories that have been built and are now ready to accommodate students.

“So, when we say getting a secondary education is important, it’s more than just words. When we say to you that we believe education is important, you will see our actions accompanying that building out of schools, training teachers, helping parents get their kids into school, giving textbooks, giving school grants. You will see that in our action,” Minister Manickchand remarked.

Minister Manickchand explained that in addition to the De Willem Secondary School, new secondary schools will be built at Crane, Tuschen and Nismes to accommodate all of the secondary-aged learners in the region.

Moreover, Minister Manickchand said that in addition to constructing new schools, there needs to be a trained teacher in every classroom. She said that prior to 2021 the Cyril Potter College of Education accepted about 530 teachers but can now accept a few thousand teachers into the college that is now offering both online and in person instruction.

Due to the online offering, the Minister of Education said that the CPCE is now going to graduate 2500 students for the first time. She added that students are now receiving the textbooks they need and newly designed larger exercise books from the Ministry of Education.

Headteacher of the Uitvlugt Secondary School, Mr. Keith Sampson who delivered the background, said that today, “we commissioned renewed purpose.”

He explained that in the past, the old building which the new structure has replaced housed the Zeeburg Secondary School. Further, he said that in 2016 a new Zeeburg Secondary School was built leaving the old structure wanting for purpose. He said that the building was later refurbished to serve as an annex to the Uitvlugt Secondary School. However, due to the visionary leadership of the Ministry of Education, a new secondary school materialized.

Meanwhile, Regional Vice-Chairperson Mr. Omesh Satyanand, said that only a few weeks ago the Region commissioned a new primary school in Tuschen. He said that the Regional Democratic Council is excited about the growth in education. He said that the region is experiencing wholistic growth especially in the education sector where more children are attending school.

Further, he referenced the School Feeding and Breakfast Programmes, the Vice-Chairperson that that the RDC is happy that children can attend school and receive breakfast or a snack. He said that the RDC is happy with the work the Ministry is doing in the region along with its officers and teachers in the classrooms. “You guys are doing a great job and that is why we are partnering with you to ensure that the delivery of education is second to none in this country,” he remarked.

Also present at today’s commission was the Regional Executive Officer, Jagnarine Somwar, the Regional Education Officer, Mr. Akbar Chindu, the Assistant Chief Education Officer (Secondary), Ms. Tiffany Harvey and the Assistant Chief Education Officer (Primary), Mr. Rabindra Singh. (Ministry of Education press release)

Source: https://newsroom.gy/2023/09/16/reg-3-primary-tops-to-be-closed-as-new-93m-de-willem-secondary-school-opens/

During a visit on Friday by Minister of Education Priya Manickchand to the Abrams Zuil Secondary on the Essequibo Coast, concerns were raised about the pace of work as the new school is now months behind the scheduled completion date.

Manickchand along with the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, inquired about the unfinished walkways, classrooms and other basics needed to accommodate the approximately 700 students who are scheduled to start school at the Abrams Zuil Secondary School this year.

Also present during the visit were other senior officers from the Ministry of Education, as well as representatives of the regional administration and the contractor.

The contractor, Rakesh Samaroo, in response to the criticisms, assured the ministers that he and his crew will work tirelessly in order to have the walkways completed and other issues sorted out so that the school can be finished this year.

However, a dissatisfied Manickchand raised questions about the unfinished classrooms and other areas such as the laboratories. The contractor in response pointed out that more materials are needed which have to be imported from overseas. Regional Education Officer, Susannah Saywack, also told the minister that more money was needed for the importation of materials to aid in the completion of the laboratory and other areas.

Both ministers assured them that the materials will be provided, and list was requested of the amounts needed and the estimated cost.  In this way, Manickchand explained, the list can be viewed and approval can be given for the disbursement of further monies for the extra materials needed for the completion of the project.

During the visit, Dharamlall committed to keeping in close communication with the contractor and regional administration in order to get water and electricity connected to the school.

After discussions among the ministers, regional administration, and the contractor as to the basic items needed for the opening of the brand new school, an agreement was arrived at. The regional administration will prepare a list to have the additional materials purchased for the completion of the project.

According to Manickchand, “What materials are overseas and you can’t get it for the lab, the students can do labs in another room.”

Meanwhile, Saywack seized the opportunity to inform the ministers that more buses were needed to transport the children to and from school in the region. She noted that although the buses are operating on a shift system, there are not enough of them.

The ministers promised the Education officer to look into the matter of acquiring more buses.

Both ministers agreed that another walk through of the school will be done today to assess the work done. A completion date of March 15 was agreed upon by all concerned.

Earlier during the visit, Manickchand had asserted, “With this massive investment, the government will ensure every child has access to a secondary education irrespective of their geographical location.”

She also informed that the ministry will be training more teachers and consequently, every teacher in a classroom will either be trained or in training.

The school is expected to accommodate around 700 students, and will boast some 23 classrooms, 14 other rooms, and 10 different administration sections.

Back on July 14, 2021, the Minister of Education, and several other government ministers had turned the sod for the construction of a new Abrams Zuil Secondary School in Region Two. The minister had indicated that the new school was scheduled to be completed in September 2022 at a cost of $585 million. The old school building was torn down.

On the day of the sod turning, Dharamlall had said that his Ministry intends to strictly hold the contracting firm to the contractual timelines.  The contract was awarded to Builders Hardware and General Supplies.  

Source: https://www.stabroeknews.com/2023/02/17/news/guyana/education-minister-chides-contractor-over-pace-of-work-at-region-two-school/

Prime Minister,   Mark Phillips; Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand and Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, have begun to visit affected students and distressed families following the deadly early morning fire today which  destroyed the Mahdia Secondary School Dormitory, the Department of Public Information said.

Source: https://www.stabroeknews.com/2023/05/22/news/guyana/ministers-visiting-families-students-affected-by-mahdia-fire/

The Ministry of Education has launched an investigation into the assault of a student of the Bartica Secondary School in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

The student turned up to school wearing white socks, instead of black, as is the school’s dress code. This infuriated the teacher, identified as Morris Waddell.

In a video that has begun circulating, the teacher is seen pushing the child down into his seat at least three times while violently pointing a ruler at him and hitting him on the feet.

The teacher proceeds to grab the student by his left foot and flipped him on the ground, with the student landing on his back.

With the student still on the ground, the teacher removes the shoes and the socks from his feet. This was done in the presence of the entire class.

Minister of Education Priya Manickchand said the ministry intends to conclude the investigation very swiftly.

“No teacher is allowed to abuse a child,” Manickchand told the News Room, and said the rules governing discipline in schools “would not permit this type of behaviour.”

She added: “Perhaps the time is right for us to begin to examine again what discipline in schools should look like.”

Source: https://newsroom.gy/2023/10/18/socks-colour-edu-ministry-probing-assault-of-student-by-teacher-at-bartica-sec-school/

The Ministry of Education engaged teachers and ancillary staff of the Christ Church secondary school to discuss the way forward and has committed to ensuring that the staff and students are adequately accommodated in the shortest possible time following Thursday’s devastating fire.

See full statement from the Ministry of Education:

The Ministry of Education is committed to ensuring the students, teachers and ancillary staff of the Christ Church Secondary School are adequately accommodated in the shortest possible time following last evening’s devastating fire.

On Friday, the Honourable Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand and Senior Officers of the Ministry of Education met with the teachers and ancillary staff of the secondary institution to discuss the way forward. The meeting was held in the boardroom at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD).

The officers present included the Chief Education Officer, Mr Saddam Hussain, Deputy Chief Education Officer – Administration, Ms Fazia Baksh, Deputy Chief Education Officer – Development, Ms Volika Jaikishun, Assistant Chief Education Officer – Secondary, Ms Tiffany Harvey, Principal Education Officer, Mr Emmanuel Bridgewater, Director of the School Boards Secretariat, Mr Deonarine Hardat and other Education Officers.

Minister Manickchand stated that the List A school has performed well over the years and commended the teachers for their dedication to raising the standard of the school. She further said that the decisions taken will have to be guided by what is in the best interest in the students enrolled.

The Education Minister said that the ideal preference would be to house all the students in one location.

During the meeting, various options were explored for the placement of students and teachers however, there were no definite decisions made by the end of the meeting. Minister Manickchand also said that the Ministry will have to meet with the parents and students to discuss the matter further. It was noted that the school’s enrollment records, which were saved as softcopies, will guide the process forward.

In the meantime, teachers were asked to engage their students online until a decision can be made.

Also present at the meeting was the Guyana Teachers’ Union President, Mr Mark Lyte.

Last evening, the Christ Church Secondary School became engulfed in flames.

Source: https://newsroom.gy/2023/01/13/christ-church-teachers-asked-to-engage-students-online/

Guyanese authorities on Thursday expressed concerns over allegations that there may have been a possible leak of the 2023 papers for the Mathematics Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.

Education Minister, Priya Manickchand said Guyana supports the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) in its investigation but said from a preliminary, internal probe, there is nothing to suggest that the leak came from Guyana.

“CXC is not saying there is a leak. They are concerned about reports of a leak and any examining body worth its salt would have to investigate.

“So, I would say carry on with the rest of the exams and wait on the outcome,” Manickchand told the News Room in an invited comment.

In Guyana, sitting Mathematics at CSEC is compulsory but some students write it in Grade 10 (Form Four) while most write it in Grade 11 (Form Five).

In a brief statement on Wednesday, CXC said it is aware of concerns that the exam paper, which was written on Wednesday, was leaked.

“This could impact the entire region but there is nothing to suggest the leak is from Guyana,” Manickchand reiterated.

Moreover, the Education Minister offered reassurances for the strict system locally to guard against such eventualities. She said the government has invested heavily to ensure these documents remain safe and insisted that leaks are highly improbable.

“I feel relatively comfortable and safe that notwithstanding, human beings in charge of the system…at this stage, we are not unhappy with the system.

“We don’t store these papers at school or in any informal way. Exam papers are stored at Police Stations across the country.

“There is no indication of a breach and a leak is unlikely from us,” the Education Minister added.

Source: https://newsroom.gy/2023/05/18/nothing-to-suggest-leak-of-csec-math-papers-occurred-in-guyana-edu-minister/

Significant resources are being invested in the education sector to ensure that students are provided with high-quality education and students are being called upon to be responsible in utilising them to prepare for their future.

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand made the call as she commissioned the new Mrs Maureen Massiah wing at the Bishops’ High School on Monday.

The structure, built at a cost of $95 million, was named after one of the school’s longest-serving principal.

It consists of eight classrooms, a laboratory, and a cafeteria which was designed specially to allow students to bond during their leisure time.

It will house first form students.

Delivering the keynote address at the commissioning ceremony, Manickchand said the structure forms part of the Ministry’s effort to provide a high-quality of education to every student.

Because of overcrowding, Manickchand said a number of new secondary schools are being built across the country and emphasis is being placed on expanding the five national schools of the country.

“We want a student who is academically strong and so the academic programme is not going to slow down. It is only going to get better.

“We want you to do well in Math, English and Social Studies and in science and business studies…but we also want students who can cope wherever they land and who can add to this earth…,” Manickchand said,

Upon completion of high school, Manickchand said the Ministry wants every student to be able to play one sport, one musical instrument, one technical field and have a “strong sense” of volunteerism.

And from this year, Manickchand noted that the Bishop’s High School is going to allow cross streaming.

“That memo is coming out shortly where all the national schools and list A schools will allow cross streaming.

“From this year, students in fourth form are going to be allowed to write if they want to and if they are eligible, Math, English, Literature, one foreign language and possibly EDPM (Electronic Document Preparation and Management) in fourth form,” she said.

“Children you have a responsibility here. You are going to get all the resources, you are going to get a fully staffed school, you are going to get all the peripheries you need including landscaping…but you have a duty as children, as students to use these resources to become the best version of yourself,” Manickchand urged the students.

Meanwhile, in brief remarks, Maureen Massiah, who served as the principal of the Bishops’ High School for 15 years, said she was honoured and privileged to have her service recognised.

She urged the students to allow themselves to develop.

“…you aim high to succeed academically but in everything else that you do, you make sure that you perform well.

“Be your very best. Allow yourselves to develop into your very best selves. This is so important,” she said.

Source: https://newsroom.gy/2023/09/11/overcrowding-eased-improved-output-expected-as-new-95m-wing-commissioned-at-bishops-high-school/

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand today said the Education Ministry followed established protocols in responding to the reports of the alleged sexual assault of a schoolgirl by a Government Minister.  

The teenage girl is currently in the care of the Child Care and Protection Agency.

In responding to a series of questions from reporters today, Ms. Manickchand said that at no point did the Ministry of Education and or the Minister meet with the victim, although there were some plans in place to set up a meeting.

She said upon receiving screen shots of the allegations on Thursday morning, the Education Ministry immediately made contact with the school that the victim was said to be attending. Contact was also made with the victim by the Chief Education Officer Saddam Hussain.  

“At that point, we didn’t know whether it was true, whether the person existed, what it said was that this was a school girl. So, immediately, when we received that without the sensation behind it, we would check to find out where this child is, if she exists, and then have the steps followed. And that is exactly, what we did. We checked to see through the school that was named whether she existed, and how it is we could support,” Minister Manickchand said.

An attorney by profession, Minister Manickchand said state officials are mandated by law to take into consideration a child’s view once he or she is over 12. Minister Manickchand said it was the intention of the Education Ministry to meet with the child at the earliest possible time, however, she indicated that she could not meet with the Ministry before Monday.

“The child said she couldn’t make it to come to see us. She gave very cogent reasons, she had exams, and she had other things that she wanted to do to come an engage anyone who could help her do anything, whether its counselling, make a report, do anything that she required. She couldn’t come until, the date she gave was Monday,” the education minister explained.

However, by Monday the matter was already engaging the attention of the State, including President Irfaan Ali, who, in responding to a request, sent the Local Government Minister on administrative leave.

Minister Manickchand said, given the recent developments, the victim no longer requires the help of her ministry.

“Subsequent to that the State and various other bodies have stepped in to help. She is no longer; I don’t believe she requires our help any longer. But nothing here was done outside of the norm. this is very normal. The alternative is this, with all that people saying we should not have made contact. So, we get a document, saying that a child needs help, what should I do with it, just don’t do anything with it, leave it, park it? And say, well it is not the Ministry of Education, this child protection. That’s not how we operate, ever,” the Minister said.

The education minister, also used the opportunity to call for responsible reporting on the matter.

Meanwhile, in an effort to respond to the needs of children, the Education Ministry has established welfare divisions at various secondary schools across the country.

Source: https://newssourcegy.com/politics/education-ministry-followed-established-protocols-in-responding-to-schoolgirls-sexual-assault-claims-says-manickchand/