With boys accounting for higher drop out rates and lower attendance records in classrooms countrywide, teachers are being schooled on more effective ways to increase male academic engagement.
A four-day workshop, designed to disrupt the methods of teaching commonly used in Guyana, in a positive way, wrapped yesterday at National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD), and some teachers said they were to try new methods in the classrooms.
Travis Bristol, a PhD candidate at Columbia University, along with Jane Stables, a Volunteer Service Overseas (VSO) Volunteer and educator Murray Greenwich co-facilitated the workshop, which was organised by the Ministry of Education, under the Education for All–Fast Track Initiative (FTI).
Thirty-two teachers from all regions of Guyana, except Region 9, participated in the workshop. When Stabroek News visited NCERD yesterday, teachers were building circuits in groups, an idea designed to show the effectiveness of practical exercises and group work. They were also sharing ‘tips’ that they use in their classrooms. One teacher showed the others a game called ‘Head and Tail,’ which tests the students’ reflexes and co-ordination in a fun way.
Bristol said that the methods being taught at the workshop are a “paradigm shift” but they are highly effective if teachers want boys to perform in the classroom and stay in school.
He noted that boys in Guyana are less likely to attend school and they have higher dropping out rates when compared to their female classmates. Boys are also the victims and perpetrators of crime. Simple activities, he said, such as putting students to work in groups or assigning practical projects, will make the boys pay more attention in the classroom.
Stabroek News spoke to some of the teachers at the workshop. One teacher from New Silver City Secondary School in Linden said that the workshop was “quite interesting.” She stated that they knew there was a problem with male students but they were all unaware of its severity. The teacher stated that she was very excited to go back to school and practice the methods, stating that she thought the boys would definitely benefit.
Another teacher from Kartabo Primary School, in Region 7, told this newspaper that she has learnt a lot from the workshop. “The entire workshop was something new. I’m really excited to practice all the methods they taught us,” she said.
