Dear Editor,
In the July 4 edition of the Stabroek News, there was a letter by Mr Daniel Pier captioned:
‘Decline in NGSA maths results this year could be related to factors affecting the Interactive Radio Instruction Programme.’
In consequence of my involvement in the development of this programme to the extent that the Grade 3 Teachers’ Manuals (Terms 1-3) acknowledge me as the writer, I wish to state that Mr Pier’s concern needs to be addressed urgently, especially in the area of training of teachers to implement both the audio and post-audio components of the programme.
Local human resources may be sparse in this area. Had I still been employed by the Ministry of Education, I would, without reservation, have volunteered to join the few persons recruited to train teachers, since I was intensively trained with a basic understanding of the pedagogical approaches, the learning base of the programme and the guidelines for implementation.
I see no other avenue to take, if we are addressing the training of teachers, but to recall the personnel tasked with the development of IRI to train teachers as suggested by Mr Piers.
Of course, the current team of Mathematics specialists attached to the Ministry of Education should have keen knowledge of the Interactive Radio Instruction Programme if it is still stands as the official Mathematics curriculum for Grades 1-3 and not as supplementary resource references.
Yours faithfully,
Krishna Nand Prasad
