-transportation cited as major problem
Teachers from eighty-one Rupununi schools on Monday had an opportunity to review their activities with a view to identifying their strengths and weaknesses and to plan for the coming months.
This was made possible through the Department of Education in Lethem, Region 9 which brought together head teachers from schools across the region to participate in a two-day workshop.
Reports from Lethem said that Regional Education Officer Owen Pollard told some eighty-plus head teachers who gathered at the Amerindian Hostel at Lethem on Monday that the meeting which was planned months ago was being convened at a time when the nation was mourning the demise of Minister in the Ministry of Education, Dr Desrey Fox. She had special interest in the delivery of education in the hinterland, the Regional Education Officer said.
According to the reports he urged teachers to be committed and dedicated in their work so as to continue the task which the Minister had started in the region.
Delivering the keynote address, Region Nine Chairman Clarindo Lucas encouraged head teachers to take good command of the schools under their control, ensuring that they managed them effectively.
He told teachers, according to the reports, that the schools were community schools and teachers should work closely with village councils to realize their goals.
It was noted by both the Regional Chairman and the Regional Education Officer that these workshops should be held monthly but it was not possible to meet frequently because of the size of the region and the cost to bring teachers together. As such teachers could only meet once a year to review their performances.
They were, however, urged to keep in close contact with the administration through the Department of Education so that the region could keep abreast of their activities and programme.
Teachers also had an opportunity to interact with the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) Inspector who brought them up to date with the various aspects of the Scheme. He noted that newly recruited teachers needed to have their NIS number.
Personnel matters and financial issues were also dealt with by teachers, and the relevant officers from the Regional Democratic Council Office, took time off to apprise head teachers about various aspects of accounting and personnel matters, the reports say.
One of the major problems facing teachers is transportation to get to and from their schools especially during the rainy season. Most teachers have to travel by bicycle or with 4×4 vehicles traversing the wide open savannahs or in the rough terrain of the South Pakaraimas.
