The Education Ministry in collaboration with Laparkan Holdings last Friday re-launched the teacher-of-the year award, two decades after it was abandoned due to a faulty selection process.
At the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD) in Kingston, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Laparkan Glen Khan presented Education Minister Shaik Baksh with a million dollar cheque towards the award.
Prior to receiving the cheque, Baksh said that he was happy at the re-launch, which showed teachers that their work is “highly appreciated” and he urged teachers to “strive to be teacher of the year.”
The award will be handed out at the National Cultural Centre on October 5. Currently, nominees from across the country are being considered. The winner of the award will receive $500,000 while runners up will receive $50,000.
Baksh, meanwhile, called for a change in the “hierarchical structure” within the education system. The minister said teachers must build more supportive relationships at the community level, must have good work ethics and motivational forces and be self sustaining. “Teachers are the key to success of Guyana. Our economy would not be transformed unless the education system improves,” said Baksh.
Meanwhile, Khan said that he was pleased to be associated with the awards programme. He pointed out that Laparkan has been making significant contributions throughout the years to the education sector.
And president of the Guyana Teachers’ Union Colin Bynoe, in expressing gratitude to Laparkan, said that the company “has been doing lots of things” silently with teachers.
The awards programme was first started in 1990 but was abandoned because of lack of transparency in the process of indentifying teachers, Chief Education Officer (ag) Roopnarine Tewari said. The award was reintroduced as part Education month, which is currently being observed.
