Dear Editor,
Permit me a space in your editorial to briefly respond to the misinformation spouted by the Chief Education Officer, on behalf of the Ministry of Education, in an attempt to defend its reference “No Consultation on NGSA Examination Date.”
Editor, the GTU is not disputing a meeting between MoE and GTU where the two sides discussed the National Grade Six Assessment. The Union raised concerns about the period of learning loss that took place since the COVID 19 pandemic graced our shores. We suggested that:
Students of all levels/grades, except Grades 10, 11, and 12, repeat the year due to extensive periods of learning loss. The Ministry of Education indicated that this was not possible given the need for space at school whenever the doors open.
We also suggested that the school year extend to four (4) terms, and that NGSA is done in November using Grade’s 1-5 work. The general view of the meeting was that teachers would complete the NGSA’s curriculum by Grade 5 and would use the extended time to reinforce work already covered at grades 1-5. Once agreed, students would be assigned secondary schools at the beginning of January 2022. This suggestion remained on the table.
The Union also suggested that scores obtained through the Grade 2 and 4 assessments could promote students in September 2021. This suggestion remained on the table.
The January meeting ended without a definitive date and examination format. Sadly, at the conclusion of the last meeting held in February 2021 between the GTU and MoE, an agreement to a date and format did not materialise. The Union learned via social media that there were consultations with teachers and parents reference NGSA. The Chief Education Officer had to have known that GTU’s Officers attending Zoom meetings in their capacity as class teachers or parents cannot represent the Union. GTU is ONLY represented by designed executive members at formally arranged meetings/meetings between the GTU and MoE. It is a shame that MoE would indicate representation of the Union took place via a broader Zoom meeting, a position that the Union never allowed in the past nor will accept in the future.
I wish to advise the population that MoE’s attempt to justify that GTU was a part of a meeting where an NGSA date was decided upon is ludicrous. Initially, I believed in my heart that the MoE would know better given all the educators at Central Ministry, but I was wrong. The Chief Education Officer and his team cannot navigate themselves out of the truth, an NGSA date was not fixed at any meeting between the two groups.
The Union is committed to our learners and teachers and remains committed to the development of education in Guyana and will not do anything to jeopardize the hard work of our founding fathers to achieve quality education here in Guyana. I assure you, GTU will not compromise its position for politics, race, economic benefits, etc. A spade will always be called a spade; GTU will always tell the truth to this nation. The Union will continue to be a professional body fighting for fairness, respect, and recognition of the hard work of our dedicated educators within the school system.
Sincerely
Mark Lyte
President, GTU