The Teaching Service Commission says 1500 teachers responded to its Region Six outreach on March 27-28, 2014.
A team comprising Chairperson Leila Ramson, Commissioners Conrad Kendall and Maydha Persaud, and Clerk Nadine De Silva met with over one thousand five hundred teachers at three interactive cluster meetings at JC Chandisingh Secondary, Tagore Secondary, and Berbice High Secondary Schools.
A release from the TSC said that the main objectives were to foster a closer, cordial working relationship with all stakeholders, get hands-on experience on delivery of education in the region, inform the stakeholders of TSC policies and guidelines, to listen and respond to teachers’ concerns, and to collect personal data on teachers to update the TSC database.
Ramson emphasised the policy area of “Equality of Access to Education.” She called on teachers to exhibit professionalism in and out of school, to conduct themselves as role models to gain respect from their peers, pupils, the parents and the community.
She praised teachers for choosing the teaching profession and exhorted them to give only their best since their success is measured by the success of their students.
Professionalism, she said, is based on a teacher’s competence and performance in the classroom, as well as their conduct both on and off campus.
Ramson implored that Standard English be spoken at all times and that the teachers make a concerted, diligent effort to become avid readers, saying, “Readers are leaders.” She reminded teachers that they need to read widely and in-depth in order to improve their knowledge, keep abreast of changes in teaching and learning, and become well-rounded, well- informed citizens of Guyana.
The chairperson also covered professional development of teachers and certain classroom duties. She spoke on the malpractice and consequences of teachers attending the university without release. Teachers were also encouraged to mark all students’ written work, give homework assignments, and ensure that students are given their end-of-term reports since it is important for parents and students to get regular feedback so as to gauge progress.
Kendall underlined that discipline was the hallmark of effective teaching and learning.
He enumerated the three major functions of the TSC – to appoint, promote, and discipline. He spoke of the growing and unacceptable number of disciplinary infractions brought to the TSC against teachers.
He outlined consequences of infractions including improper conduct, inappropriate dress, neglect of duties, insubordination, inefficiency, un-allowed corporal punishment, verbal and physical abuse of students and peers, sexual overtures and assault, irregularity and tardiness, and criminal matters that would require court proceedings. He also reminded teachers of their union’s motto – “We Mould the Nation” and that teaching was a 24/7 occupation.
Commissioner Maydha Persaud dealt with administrative topics including senior promotion, transfers, resignation, retirement, permission to leave the country, leave taking, records, time tabling, acting appointments, upgrading of status, and induction of new teachers. He too, reminded teachers that education is the most important ingredient in life and living. “When we teach, we teach the future.”
According to the TSC, teachers expressed gratitude for the information received and many responded that interacting with the TSC was a new experience for them.
Regions two and three had outreach programmes and Georgetown will soon benefit from a similar outreach.
