Education Minister Shaik Baksh said the Sophia Special School will see a sweeping reform of its curriculum aimed at equipping students with a literacy level that can qualify them to enrol in a secondary school or qualify for a first level entry job.
Baksh, during a visit to the school on Thursday last, announced that greater emphasis will be placed on skills building. According to a statement from the Education Ministry, Baksh said the new programme will focus on developing reading, writing, spelling and arithmetic skills. It will also focus on skills such as masonry, carpentry, joinery, home economics and information technology (IT). The minister said too that drama, music, fine arts and dancing will be included in the curriculum, to develop balanced and rounded students.
A reading specialist will also be assigned to the school while a guidance counsellor is expected to visit regularly to listen and resolve challenges students face, the ministry added. Baksh also told the students that their IT laboratory and Home Economics Department will be enhanced by September, when a trained teacher for the IT laboratory would be placed. He added too that the Secondary Competency Certificate Programme (SCCP) would be introduced at the school for the first time.
The objective of the reforms is to equip students who leave school before the completion of the secondary cycle with a certificate that will make them employable on the job market, the ministry said. The SCCP is offered in 24 secondary schools and six practical instructional centres.
Further, the minister also said there would be an increase in the student population from 141 students to 250 students in September. This will also include an increase in staff, “to ensure efficient and effective delivery of the curriculum.”
Baksh encouraged the students to attend school regularly and punctually, to be disciplined and to take their education seriously.
He also encouraged them to strive to be productive, law-abiding citizens.
Meanwhile, at St Winifred’s Secondary, which Baksh had attended, he had similar words for the students. He encouraged them to work harder so that the school can be ranked among the best in Georgetown. Baksh announced that the school will have its own IT laboratory next year. Students were also encouraged to be a part of the July/August remedial programme and to maximise the opportunity to correct their weaknesses in core subject areas.
Both schools were promised additional text books to encourage reading as well as a uniform allowance for each student as encouragement to keep up attendance.
Baksh said his ministry is making these interventions because its goal is to make sure every child receives a sound education and no child is left behind, the ministry said.
