Education Minister Shaik Baksh yesterday assured teachers that commitments to fast-track house lot applications and to introduce low-input loan schemes for them would be honoured.
He made the announcement at the National Teachers’ Awards Ceremony for 2010, held at the National Cultural Centre. The ceremony, hosted by the Ministry of Education (MoE), in collaboration with the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) and Laparkan Holdings, honoured outstanding teachers from the 10 administrative regions for their efforts during 2010.
Baksh, while delivering the feature address at the ceremony, stated that an important aspect of teacher motivation is a balanced remuneration package. He said that the MoE and the GTU are engaged in discussions to address the house-lots and loans scheme, while noting that the ministry is already aware of the union’s position on the issues.
He said that he has held discussions with the Minister of Housing and Water to ensure that applications for house-lots made by teachers are fast-tracked. He said that he has also emphasised during discussions that low-input loan schemes, which he noted will bring benefit to the nation’s teachers, remain on the agenda. He stated, “I know we will be working with the union to ensure that it is not delayed any longer.” He added, to a round of applause from the teachers present, “We want to see hundreds of teachers enjoy the concessionary loan facilities provided via agreements.”
Baksh stated that the status of teachers in the local society needed to be restored, while noting it has declined over the years. “It is incumbent for us as a nation, incumbent on all of us as citizens to restore that status,” he said.
He said that the education ministry has made positive moves over the years to improve the national education system. He added that in enhancing the education system, focus should not only by made towards economic growth and development or “moving families out of poverty,” but also towards ensuring that the education system “has an intrinsic value.”
He added that the realisation of the full potential of the nation’s children needed to be consistently addressed.
The MoE has embarked on a teacher reform programme, which has been in the making over the past two years. The initiative is part of an education system redesign to make it relevant to 21st century. According to Baksh, the aim is to ensure that each trained teacher is well-prepared for the task at hand.
In this vein, Baksh stated that the technology has been identified as an integral part of the training programme at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE). He also stated that the ministry will ensure that teachers upgrade their academic qualifications “in the shortest possible time” at the University of Guyana (UG), with limited impact on the school system. He said that the aim of the Ministry is to ensure at least half of the teachers in the education system are graduates and he noted that there is already support from UG as regards schedules for classes.
GTU President Colin Bynoe stated that teachers should be recognised and honoured for their dedication and commitment to the profession. He said that teachers’ recognition would highlight the positive aspects of the profession, thereby lifting the public perception as well. Bynoe also implored the private sector and those who benefited from “teachers’ upbringing” to get on board and help in motivating all teachers in professionalising the profession.
Chairman of Laparkan Holdings Glen Khan stated that yesterday’s event presented an opportunity to recognise the importance and to reward the efforts of teachers. He said that teachers are special while there are a few who “shine out.”
Khan said that Laparkan had been involved in recognising the nation’s teachers since 2001.
He noted that “it is to reward exceptional teachers who remained dedicated to the job.” He said that Laparkan recognises that an aspect of the company’s responsibility is to honour those who needed to be awarded. He said that the initiative was conceptualised from a “simple” understanding that businesses and countries can only thrive in a meaningful way with a highly-skilled and educated population. He added that it was recognised that the structure of businesses and development depended on each child being given his or her opportunity to reach their full potential.
Additionally, Khan also called on the private sector to participate in initiatives such as awards ceremony, while arguing that it would be to the benefit of the county as a whole.
The 2010 National Teachers’ Award went to Roslyn Henry of the Pine Street Nursery School in Region 10. She received a plaque as well as a $500,000 cash award, compliments of Laparkan and the GTU.
Ten teachers from the administrative regions, who were yesterday recognised for their outstanding performances during 2010, were also awarded for their efforts with a $15,000 cash incentive. In addition to Henry, awards were given to Charlene Rodrigues, Anand Bissoon, Latchmin Gopal, Praniva Singh, Shamena Charran, La Wanda Fraser, Shivone Oretta McCubbin, Ivy Lyte, and Carol Barnes.
