Minister of Education Shaik Baksh urged graduates at the University of Guyana’s Tain Campus to pursue higher education to make themselves more marketable, at its recent convocation exercise.

The minister called on them to ensure that they utilise opportunities available to further their studies adding that many skills are being produced that can be used in government and the private sector. According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release Baksh also referred to the 1,000 plus students graduating from the Government Technical Institute (GTI) and the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) this year. He said the ministry is collaborating with UG to offer a Bachelor’s of Education Degree programme which will ensure that a larger number of teachers graduating from the CPCE will be allowed to advance their teaching skills and knowledge and be recognized at a higher level.

GTI has recorded an increase in the pass rate from 52% in 2006 to 72% this year, a direct result of the boosting of resources in the sector in order to increase the human resources capabilities of Guyana. Baksh said he is hopeful that the call for hundreds of graduate teachers for secondary schools is answered.

The minister said a number of significant changes have been made at the leadership level at UG and he is now more optimistic that this will result in a new era for the institution.

A new director, registrar, vice chancellor and pro-chancellor have been installed at the institution.