Dear Editor,
It is interesting that at this crucial time the concerns of trainee teachers are not being addressed. I must give credit to all politicians who seem to agree that the cost of living is increasing each day. Therefore, how does the Ministry of Education, Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) and politicians expect the future teachers to survive on a mere $7070.00 while the nurses who can only be in their profession because teachers would have taught them receive twice as much ($16000.00) – and on time each month?
Further, trainee teachers in the first batch for the Associate Degree in Education (ADE) are frustrated. They are urged to meet the standards of the university, which includes printing and making better quality teaching aids. This notwithstanding, the stipend that should be given to teachers monthly doesn’t come on time, and is sometimes delayed for two months. The reality is that the cost of one cardboard ranges from $80-$160; markers from $120-$400 and copying or printing $10-$200, depending on whether it is coloured or black and white. The copy centre can tell you how often trainee teachers come to print, copy or enlarge; the stipend can only cover a quarter of this expense, excluding passage, meals and personal needs.
In addition, being the experimental bunch, there is little or no organization as it relates to the programme, which is exasperating. Semesters start late, and when they do course outlines or modules, they are not ready so teachers are forced to do extra work within a short time. The work load is so heavy that not even the assistance of brain food helps the body. In addition, no information is available for trainee teachers to plan ahead for potential courses. As the semester rolls on, then you know what is expected in that semester, but beyond that no information is given. What kind of teachers are we preparing when they are treated in this way? These are the future teachers who are tasked with equipping this and future generations to be leaders, doctors and surgeons, among others.
Moreover, we would like to bring to the public’s attention that this batch of ADE students has not received the three hundred laptops as was promised by the previous Minister of Education, Mr Shaik Baksh. Ever since the beginning of this two-year programme in October of 2010 the pledge was made and we are still waiting. Failure to equip trainee teachers has resulted in us completing two Information Technology courses already and even though there have been passes in the course, the practical aspects have been neglected.
Similarly, the conditions of the centres are of great concern. It appears that only the main CPCE centre at Turkeyen has been equipped with all the updated technology and library resources. Centres away from here depend on the trainee teachers‘ community projects. One might ask what the purpose of a community project is when the college centres instead of the community are benefiting?
The President was keen during his presentation at the recently concluded Guyana Teachers‘ Union Biannual Conference, to mention how important it is for teachers to be effective in carrying out the mandate of moulding the nation, but with limited financial support from parents, ministry or the government how are trainee teachers then to cope with the increased cost of living? Some trainee teachers have children who need to go to school. While some would say they never asked teachers to join the college, the truth remains that the system needs qualified teachers to rebuild the standards of education in this country. This cannot be done if the ministry does not follow through with eliminating the system of employing untrained teachers which will make way for those coming out. Again, since GTU cannot speak out for the trainee teacher cause, we are not employed as yet. We are asking the general public, politicians and the relevant authority to look into the care and concerns of trainee teachers. Failure to do so will see an even greater migration of trainee teachers because they would have struggled economically to complete their training, and upon completion will take advantage of the better remuneration which is available beyond Guyana. And who will suffer due to this move? The future children of Guyana.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address provided)
