Guyana is among the few countries in the world where documented professional standards for teachers are yet to be implemented.
However, keen on implementing standards to aid in professionalising the teaching profession, Minister of Education Priya Manickchand will be leading a series of consultations on drafting professional standards.
A release from the Education Ministry on Thursday said that it recognises that the continuous success of Guyana’s education system hinges upon the professionals who are in the classroom every day, and it has drafted a document that is intended to hold teachers to specific professional standards. It said that the minister “believes strongly that all stakeholders should get the opportunity to contribute to the contents of the standards so that all can move forward together.”
The ministry said that professional standards for teachers set expectations for achieving desired educational outcomes. However, these standards are not intended as a tool for punitive action; rather they will reflect professional consensus of what is desirable in the supervision, leadership and delivery of education. They will also provide a framework that will allow professionals to engage in self-assessment. The draft standards are aligned with those of the Organisation of American States (OAS), Caricom and other international standards.
According to the ministry, professional standards offer the professional community specifications against which teachers are able to set goals for personal development and progress in the profession.
The standards are multi-dimensional and give cognisance to the key props for learning to take place, that is, a motivated and willing learner; effective teaching and learning, and an enabling environment.
The ministry said that once implemented, the standards will serve as a tool to monitor and evaluate teachers’ performance in the classroom, knowledge of the subject(s) they teach, techniques used and level of commitment to the learners in their care and how effectively they manage diversity to promote inclusiveness in the learning process. The standards will also help teachers sharpen their professional skills and assist them to interact with parents and the community.
The ministry also emphasised that the community’s contribution was critical as it works towards refining the draft professional standards before official approval and implementation. In this regard, it extended an invitation to all Guyanese, especially teachers, both practicing and retired, members of School Improvement Action Committees, Parent-Teachers Associations, Boards of Governors, Regional Education Committees, Regional Democratic Councils and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils to participate in its country-wide consultations on these standards.
The dates for the March consultations are available, however the schedule for April to July is yet to be finalised.
Consultations will take place in Region 1 on March 1 at Waramuri Primary at 10.00am, March 4 at Wauna Primary at 1.30pm, March 8 at Kariako Primary at 10.00am, March 12 at St Ninian’s Primary at 1.00pm, March 13 at Matthew’s Ridge at 1.00pm, March 14 at Arakaka Primary at 1.00pm, March 20 at Sacred Heart Primary at 1.30pm, March 24 at Yarakita Primary at 1.00pm and March 28 at Port Kaituma at 1.30pm.
In Region 2, a consultation will be held on March 27 at Marlborough Primary at 1.30pm. In Region 3, one will be held on March 19 at Leonora Secondary at 2.30pm and on March 26 at Parika/Salem Secondary at 2.30pm. In Region 6 consultations will be held on March 5 at Canje Secondary at 1.30pm and on March 7 at New Amsterdam Secondary at 1.30pm, while in Region 7 one will be held on March 11 at Bartica Secondary at 10.00am.
In Georgetown consultations will take place on March 6 at Cumming’s Lodge Secondary at 4.00pm, March 10 at Queen’s College at 4.00pm, March 18 at West Ruimveldt at 4.00pm and on both March 21 and 25 at North Ruimveldt Secondary at 4.00pm.
The first consultation was held on Feb 26, 2014 at the Kamarang Primary School in Region 7. Consultations are projected to end in July. It is expected that a total of 71 consultations will be held across Guyana.
The monthly schedule of consultations on Professional Standards for teachers will be published on the ministry’s website www.education.gov.gy.
