The Ministry of Education last week launched a mass training programme to better equip local teachers to use information and communications technology (ICT) to reach learners.
The training, which is being facilitated by the ministry through a collaboration with the Organization of American States and ProFuturo, follows the transition of many classes from classrooms to online platforms due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Minister of Education Priya Manickchand, the ministry is aware of many teachers’ inability to navigate many virtual platforms, hence the training programme.
“We heard you when you told us you weren’t sure what to do outside of the classroom; when you told us it would help you if we could give you training on how to deliver your lessons, using various platforms,” Manickchand said during the virtual launch of the initiative last Tuesday.
Teachers will be able to work at their own pace as the ministry understands that there may be varying difficulties and challenges faced, Manickchand said. With over 3000 coaches available to assist them, the teachers will have to complete 100 hours of training. However, she noted that the completion of the programme within a considerate timeframe is the responsibility of teachers.
Manickchand also said that the ministry has an agreement with GTT and Digicel to have the ProFuturo website carry a zero-rate charge when accessed by use of data.
Mindful to the varying challenges teachers across the country may face, especially those in the hinterland and rural communities, printed modules of the courses will be disseminated to those disadvantaged teachers, who number over 2,500. By using the programme, teachers will be trained in two components: innovation and ICT. Innovation training will entail seeing the possibilities and getting ideas on how to use tools and materials that are readily available, while the ICT training will cover the use of practical platforms for online classes. Each course will see teachers progressing through four levels from basic to professional. Once the programme has been completed, teachers will be given a certificate which will be recognized by the ministry.
Additionally, Manickchand said that with the COVID-19 outbreaks in the country the education sector has been propelled to look at measures that have been talked out but never implemented. She also said that the ministry was forced to think differently so that work could be delivered to learners.
And while this may not be an easy attempt, the opportunity it brings with it represents progress.
