The distribution of the “Because we care” cash grants will commence from June 5, Education Minister Priya Manickchand announced on Wednesday.

The $40,000 grant will be distributed to each child registered in the school system – public or private. A total of $8.6 billion was budgeted for the grants this year.

The cash grant will see parents being relieved of some of the financial burdens of preparing their children for school.

Minister Manickchand said that more than 214,000 children are eligible for the grant this year. To be eligible a child must be attending either a public or private school.

Students who are now entering Sixth Form will receive their grants in October.

Persons are advised to pay attention to the schedule which will be made public for grants to be uplifted.

Source: https://newsroom.gy/2023/05/31/40000-per-child-because-we-care-cash-grant-distribution-from-monday/

Twelve teachers from schools across the coast are the first batch of persons who have completed their Post Graduate Diploma in Distance Education offered by the Indira Ghandi Open University (IGNOU) through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL.)

The course which ran for one year and concluded in June,2022, saw the educators being trained in key components of distance education delivery such as television, radio and smart classrooms.

On Monday, the Honourable Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand met with the teachers in the Ministry’s boardroom.

During the meeting, Minister Manickchand congratulated the teachers on completing the programme. She noted that distance education can transform education delivery across the country.

Sharing their experiences, the teachers expressed they found the programme informative and relevant noting that it has enhanced the way in which lessons are delivered to their students. They also expressed their gratitude for being awarded the opportunity to further qualify themselves.

Present in the meeting were the Chief Education Officer, Mr Saddam Hussain and Director of GOAL, Professor Jacob Opadeyi.

The teachers who completed the programme are:

Nandani Deonarine                         Saraswat Primary School  (Grade 9)

Carleen Wendella Small                 West Minister Secondary School (Grades 9-10)

Devta Ramroop                                The Bishops’ High School (Grades 10-12)

Abbigale Onica Munroe Samuels  No. 29 Primary School (Grade 4)

Chyanne Abigail Fredericks           Kuru Kururu Primary School (Grade 5)

Jenelle Anika Richards Percival    North Georgetown Secondary School (Grades 10-11)

Belinda Onica Wilson                     Parika- Salem Secondary School (Grade 5)

Taramattie Dhatpaul                       Zeeburg Secondary School (Grades 9-11)

Charissa Anthea Frank                    Parfaite Harmony Primary School (Grade 3)

Bibi Shameeza Hoosein                  Annandale Secondary School (Grades 9-1 0)

Maleeni Dudhnath                          Woodley Park Primary School (Grade 5)

Sashara Kimbely Dey                      Bel Air Primary School (Grade 4)

Source: https://newsroom.gy/2023/03/20/twelve-teachers-complete-post-graduate-diploma-in-distance-education/

Students from the Christ Church Secondary School which was devastated by a fire last Thursday are expected to return to face-to-face class sessions next Monday at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), Turkeyen.

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, met with some 450 parents of the affected students at the Queen’s College auditorium today to discuss alternative placement for the students in the aftermath of last Thursday’s fire at the Camp and Middle streets school.

In a telephone interview, Manickchand told Stabroek News, “Parents unanimously chose space at CPCE to accommodate the education of their children.”

Ministry of Education Public Relations Officer, Murtland Haley confirmed that the sessions are expected to commence as soon as next Monday.

 Manickchand met with teachers and staff of Christ Church Secondary School last Friday to discuss the way forward. Christ Church Secondary was ravaged by a fire last Thursday that was maliciously set by a person or persons unknown. The fire has left 502 students, 39 teachers and 9 ancillary staff displaced.

The Guyana Fire Service after conducting its investigation into the cause of the blaze has concluded that it was an act of arson. Police Commander of Region 4A, Assistant Commissioner Simon McBean, told Stabroek News that an investigation into the matter is ongoing.

Source: https://www.stabroeknews.com/2023/01/17/news/guyana/christ-church-students-to-attend-classes-at-cpce-manickchand/

The distribution of the School Grant continued on Monday in Regions Five and Six.

Under the School Grant, teachers will be given $4,000 per child on the Coastland and $5,500 per child in the Hinterland per term. For schools with less than 56 students enrolled, a standard amount of $224,000 per term will be granted. This means teachers will no longer have to pay out-of-pocket expenses to enhance their classrooms.

The Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, while meeting with the Headteachers of schools across Region Five stated that the grant gives schools full autonomy to purchase their resources and empowers Headteachers to become better managers of their schools.

She further noted that the grant is aimed at empowering teachers to enhance the delivery of the curriculum in creative and innovative ways.

Regional Education Officer for Region Five, Ms Kean Adams highlighted that the grant would aid in the development of schools within the region and will boost education delivery.

Meanwhile, the Regional Chairman, of Region Five, Mr. Vickchand Ramphal encouraged teachers to utilize the resources given to maximize teaching to yield successful results.

Minister Manickchand also met with the Headteachers of schools in Region Six.

During the meeting, Minister Manickchand noted that the implementation of the School Grant ensures that each school receives the supplies they need in a timely manner. She explained that in the interest of transparency and accountability, a list will be provided to guide teachers.

She highlighted that the Ministry of Education has been continuously providing resources for students and teachers to enhance education delivery. As such, she urged the Headteachers to ensure the grant is utilized in innovative ways to yield significant results.

President of the Guyana Teachers’ Union, Mr. Mark Lyte in an invited comment welcomed the implementation of the School Grant. He noted that the Union will provide support to ensure teachers utilize the grant to enhance education delivery.

Headteachers praised the initiative noting that it will assist teachers in ensuring their classrooms are child-friendly and lessons are delivered in innovative and creative ways. (Ministry of Education press release)

Source: https://newsroom.gy/2023/09/19/schools-grant-distributed-in-regions-five-and-six/

The Ministry of Education launched a new literacy app, ‘Animal Friends Learning’ on Friday at the Tuschen Nursery School.

The app was conceptualised to provide a work-based programme to develop children’s word recognition skills and expand their vocabulary.

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand in her address highlighted that technology if used properly can be vital in the education sector.

“What’s happening now is that everybody is on the device, so while we want to get back to some outdoor activities…we can use the device in a useful way to make sure learning and fun happen. We now have Animal Friends, Pat and Roy that all of you grew up with on a device where your children get to sound that out, move it around and manipulate it.”

The app is an adaptation of the Timehri Reader Series, the Animal Friend’s reader, and workbooks. It has 40 preloaded programmes to support learners’ development in linguistic communication, mathematical competence, knowledge and interaction with technology, processing with information, digital competence, artistic and creative thinking.

It also complements the ministry’s tablet initiative by providing the scope for active classroom participation and increased attendance at school.

To this end, the ministry has distributed over 2,000 tablets to schools in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine, as well as 130 riverine schools in Regions Two, Three and Ten in an effort to bridge the gap between hinterland, and coastland education delivery.

The tablet includes all the ministry’s resources which consist of textbooks, and worksheets that were developed for nursery education. It also contains the MOE Animal Friends learning app, Kids ABC phonics life, kids painting light, kids picture dictionary, and more.

Minister Manickchand welcomes all persons interested in transforming the education curriculum through technology.

“Hear is the sound to all Guyanese, young people, and old people. If you want to innovate around technology in any way, to present anything from our curriculum, come, we have open doors. In my view, everything in the curriculum can be thought through technological means,” she stated.

The app can be downloaded on the google store and only requires internet connectivity for the downloading process. It is also appropriate for both year one and two learners. (Extracted and modified from DPI)

Source: https://newsroom.gy/2023/03/11/new-literacy-app-animal-friends-learning-launched/

Alex Muntaz is Guyana’s top Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) student.

The 17-year-old Anna Regina Secondary School student received Grade Ones in 23 subjects and four Grade Twos.

Muntaz’s exceptional performance was revealed by Minister of Education Priya Manickchand at a special exam release ceremony on Thursday.

This is the second year in a row that the Anna Regina Secondary School has topped the CSEC exams in Guyana.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand (centre) poses for a photo with Guyana’s top CSEC students. In photo from left to right: Mariah Sookram, Noah Persaud, Tahsmee Ganesh, Alex Muntaz, Arthur Roberts, Virendra Dookie and Kuntie Singh. Photo: Ministry of Education.

Virendra Dookie of the Saraswati Vidya Niketan School received the second-highest number of CSEC passes. He received 19 Grade Ones and One Grade Two.

Dookie was one of the top students at the 2018 National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).

The then Leonora Primary School student earned 521 marks and was recognised as the Best Letter Writer.

Suriya Walcott of Anna Regina Secondary placed third after she secured 18 Ones and six Twos. 

In the fourth position, was Kuntie Singh of the Abram Zuil Secondary School. She received 18 Ones and five Twos.

Source: https://caribbean.loopnews.com/content/guyanas-top-csec-student-alex-muntaz-receives-23-grade-ones

The East Ruimveldt Secondary School has undergone a multimillion-dollar expansion to facilitate more students and Education Minister Priya Manickchand encouraged the students there on Thursday to care for the new facilities.

Due to extreme overcrowding at the school, the Samuel B. Moffatt Wing was established as part of much-needed expansion works. In commissioning the $172.6 million block, Education Minister Priya Manickchand urged the students to work towards improving the school’s output at the national level using the amenities provided.

“We don’t only want to put you in classrooms and have you sit there, we want to make sure that you have a quality education when you go into those classrooms.

“We have where we’re building labs and furnishing them and equipping them so that you have wide choices here. The point is that we don’t only want you to sit in a classroom, we want you to enjoy your secondary schooling and we want you to emerge from these schools successful,” Minister Manickchand said.

East Ruimveldt Secondary is among several schools undergoing multimillion-dollar expansions to fix overcrowding at schools. The school’s Principal Katheryn Fraser said during the COVID-19 pandemic there was an intake of 157 students. She explained that it became apparent upon the return to face-to-face classes that more space was needed.

The students were being taught under tents outside the school before it was upgraded to a shed and with the intervention of the ministry.

“When we started face-to-face interaction, we realised that our main building was not fit to accommodate our students so the intervention of the Ministry of Education, the tent was suggested with the intention of our building following shortly.

“The school’s population is growing and I know for certain with our new block the accommodation problem is now resolved,” Principal Fraser said.

Minister Manickchand said the building was slated to be completed in May 2023 and despite the setback, she is pleased to have students properly accommodated.

“Before the month ends we’re going to be sending Allied Arts to your school and what I want for each of you is in addition to the academic pursuits, every single one of you must be exposed to a musical instrument, a sports, a TVET subject and a strong sense of volunteerism,” she added.

She added that the school will have trainee teachers to complement the staff in providing the best possible quality of education.

Source: https://newsroom.gy/2023/09/21/east-ruimvedlt-secondary-gets-new-facilities-improved-performance-expected/

esterday afternoon, 1,796 teachers graduated from the CPCE, the largest cohort ever, according to the Ministry of Education.

It was also said to be the largest  in the Caribbean, according to a release from the Ministry of Education. This is another step towards the Ministry of Education’s goal of having 100 per cent trained teachers in classrooms across the country, the release said and moves the country’s trained teachers from 65% to 79%. This means that 99.5 per cent of teachers in classrooms are either trained or in training.

Of the number, 477 teachers graduated from the Cyril Potter College of Education’s  (CPCE’s) Early Childhood Education Programme, 841 from the Primary Education Programme, 238 from the Secondary Academic Programme and 240 from the Secondary Pre-Vocational Programme – a total of 1,796 trained teachers.

Of the graduates, 66 graduated from the Trained Teachers’ Certificate Programme, while the remaining 1,730 graduated from the Associate Degree Programme.

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand urged the newly graduated teachers to add value to every child that they come into contact with as they advance their teaching career.

According to the release, she noted that 87 per cent of the graduating teachers are women. More than 20 per cent of the graduates are from the hinterland and riverain communities, while 35 per cent of the teachers are from Region Four, 11 per cent from Region Ten, 14 per cent from Region Three and 12 per cent from Regions Two and Six.

Further, some 238 trainees are graduating as Secondary Academic teachers, 78 per cent are English trained, 75 per cent are Math trained, 35 per cent are Science trained, 31 per cent are Social Studies trained and 9 per cent are Spanish trained.

Delivering the feature address, Prime Minister Mark Phillips reiterated the Government’s commitment to fostering quality education by investing in tangible initiatives including improving educational facilities, expanding the use of information and communication technology  in education, enhancing TVET facilities, and increasing scholarship opportunities, among others.

Meanwhile, CPCE Principal, Noella Joseph, urged the newly trained teachers to be professional in the execution of their mandate.

Source: https://www.stabroeknews.com/2023/11/30/news/guyana/largest-ever-cohort-graduates-from-cpce/

The Ministry of Education (MoE)  yesterday launched its Education Management Information System (EMIS) which it says promises to be a game-changer.

The main function of the software will be to store key information about students  and will enable teachers and education officers to efficiently manage data therein.

In delivering her keynote speech at the launch, Minister of Education Priya Manickchand noted that EMIS will assist in resource planning as well as help to reduce the number of early school leavers.

“I truly want this to be such an integrated system that it’s not piloted anywhere. It is in every school, every learning institution, every education district, and every department available to everyone who wants to track or determine how service can be improved by using numbers”, she said.

A press release from the MOE pointed out that EMIS is a fully integrated system which will be made available to both public and private schools. The release also stated that a total of 1,573 educational institutions are already registered in the system.

Senior Statistician in the MOE’s Planning Unit, Dahvis Caldeira informed the gathering at the launch that the software stores such data as enrollment information, transfer requests, attendance, grades, end-of-year processing, a class portal, teacher web pages, a parent portal, teacher information and timetables.

According to the Chief Planning Officer of the MoE, Nicola Johnson, EMIS will serve to enhance accountability and this in turn will empower teachers and administrators to make informed decisions. With the rapidly changing digital age, Johnson noted, technology is being used to advance the system. She further noted that the software will help to address gaps within the education system and ensure access to quality education for all Guyanese.

Manickchand urged educators who made a physical or virtual appearance at the launch to get acquainted with the system. Chief Education Officer, Mohamed Saddam Hussain was also present, and he noted that the software marks the “new future” of the country’s education system.

The launch took place at the Pegasus Corporate Suites.

Source: https://www.stabroeknews.com/2023/10/31/news/guyana/game-changing-education-info-system-launched/

The Ministry of Education’s Literacy and Robotics programme was on Wednesday launched at the Enterprise Primary School on the East Coast of Demerara by the Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand.

The Enterprise Primary School is the first school in Region Four to benefit from the programme and the fifth in the country.

The programme which is a collaborative effort between the National Department of Literacy and the National Centre for Educational Resources Development (NCERD), is aimed at improving the literacy levels amongst learners. It is in keeping with the ministry’s mandate to ensure that every child is a fluent reader by Grade Four while advancing the use of technology.

Delivering remarks, Minister Manickchand stated that beginning Monday, the children will be engaged in a strict six-week literacy programme.

The Education Minister noted that it is important that the programme is conducted effectively and further urged parents to play their roles in providing support for their children. She advised parents that for the programme to work, their children need to attend school consistently.

Giving an overview, Assistant Chief Education Officer with responsibility for Literacy, Ms Samantha Williams stated that the launch of the Literacy and Robotics programme will help children unlock their reading potential.

Ms Williams noted following an assessment, it was found that a significant number of pupils at the Enterprise Primary School are not reading at their grade level. She noted that the programme has a three-tiered approach and provides an intensive fast-paced remedial intervention to fast-track learners’ literacy skills. It will begin at the basic level, move on to the intermediate level and culminate at the advanced level. Assessments will also be done to track the pupils’ progress.

District Education Officer Region Four, Ms Pravina Singh in brief remarks reiterated that the Ministry of Education is committed to ensuring each child is a reader. She also called on parents to take full advantage of the opportunity for their children.

Meanwhile, NCERD Head of Curriculum, Ms Omawattie Ramdin, echoed similar sentiments. She noted told parents that the Literacy and Robotics Programme is an investment in their children.

Ms Ramdin further emphasized that while the programme is being conducted at school, support must be given at home for it to be successful.

To date, the Literacy and Robotics Programme has been launched at the Dem Amstel Primary School, Kawall Primary School, La Retraite Primary School and the Blankenburg Primary School in Region Three. (Ministry of Education press release)

Source: https://newsroom.gy/2023/04/27/education-ministrys-literacy-and-robotics-programme-launched-in-region-four/