Education Management Programme Master Trainers' Workshop Report 2008

The Education Management Programme is a distance-learning course run by NCERD and the Ministry of Education for Headteachers and aspiring Headteachers throughout all of the regions in Guyana. Around 35 Master Trainers, mainly Headteachers and officers from the Departments of Education, currently deliver it. They operate with groups of trainees, providing support for them as well as preparing and marking assignments. The Director of NCERD, a Management Group and the Education Management Specialist (VSO) at NCERD oversee all of this.

A 5-day workshop for Master Trainers is arranged on an annual basis. This year the aims of the workshop were as follows:-

Overall Aims
To enhance the Leadership and Management capacity of schools.
To strengthen the Leadership and Management capabilities of the education sector.
To enhance the capacity of regional Master Trainers towards effective delivery of the Education Management Programme

Workshop Objectives
To introduce the revised Education Management Programme Modules 1 – 4 and the Programme Handbook
To explore the concept of “Proactive Leadership”
To explore School Effectiveness Strategies for Headteachers and Regional Officers
To review assessment procedures – assignments, examinations, portfolios and practicum

To prepare assignments for the new cohort of trainees
To introduce proposals and guidelines for measuring the impact of the Education Management Programme.
To develop plans for effective tutorial sessions
To consider developments for the future
To explore the use of the Internet for Education Management purposes

Rationale
The basis of the workshop was two-fold. Firstly, a wide range of issues relating to the Management Programme was dealt with throughout the five days. Secondly, all of the above was presented through a variety of participative, presentational styles to demonstrate different ways of motivating the trainees. By the end, the Master Trainers were well equipped to try many of them for themselves. They were provided with handouts and materials which they would be able to use in future sessions with their trainees.

Programme
See separate sheet with the pack included with this report. The workshop was designed to be highly practical and motivating for the Master Trainers. It covered a range of issues, all of which were pertinent to their role as Master Trainers. Theory was limited to support the practical nature of their work. In all cases, current practice was identified and evaluated and suggestions for future development were made.

The key areas covered were:-

Theme for the week Aims and introduction to “Proactive Leadership”
School Effectiveness The Role of the Headteacher and the Regional Departments of Education
The New Modules An Introduction & The Programme Handbook
Module One Self Development for Educational Leaders
Module Two Principles of Education Management
EMC on the NET The role of the Internet in the EMC
Module 3 Personnel Management
Module 4 Managing the Curriculum and Resources & New SEN Unit
Running a Tutorial Session Practical Advice
Running a Tutorial Session Activity And Practice
“Making it happen” A model of support for trainees
Looking forward Planning for Graduation, Workshop visits, Future of EMC
Preparation of Assignments Modules 1 – 4 Part One
The Process of Assessment Review of procedures
How well are we doing? Monitoring the Impact of the EMC
Monitoring Activity

Facilitators
Stephen Harding - Education Management Specialist VSO
Mary Harding - Curriculum Specialist VSO
Meg Caton – SEN Specialist VSO
The workshop was opened and closed by Mr M Goolsarran, Director of NCERD

Some issues raised by Master Trainers
The new materials need to be more widely used. They could perhaps be part of a non-assessed programme for Headteachers and used during their professional development sessions both with other Headteachers and in schools
It would be useful to have a set of the materials in all schools in the country.
Regional Officers should be encouraged to take part in the Programme.
All Headteachers should be encouraged to take part in the Programme
There needs to be a much greater interest in the Programme and its development from both the Officers of the Ministry of Education and Regional Departments of Education
In some cases, Regional Departments of Education need to play a much greater part in the management and administration of the Programme
The failure to perform to an acceptable standard once trainees have completed the Programme is not necessarily a reflection on the quality of the Programme, as has often been stated, but the inability of the system to insist that teachers perform to an acceptable level.
It would be very helpful if there were a set of standards for Teachers, Middle Leaders and Senior Leaders on which their performance could be judged.
There needs to be someone to take over from the Education Management Specialist VSO when he leaves in February 2009.

Evaluation
The workshop was evaluated both verbally and in writing. The latter reflected the former.
The results of the evaluation are shown below:-

5 – Very Good, 4 = Good, 3 = Satisfactory, 2 = Unsatisfactory, 1 = poor.
(Satisfaction rates are the sum of the responses as a percentage}

Content of the Workshop
1. Selection of topics discussed 99% satisfaction
2. Relevance of content to your work 99% satisfaction
3. Variety of presentation 98% satisfaction
4. Quality of the handouts provide 97% satisfaction

Overall Satisfaction of the Content of the Workshop was 97%

Comments Made:-
So much learning took place at the workshop and I do hope that we would be able to meet for the two days in January to look at modules five to nine.
Content was correctly chosen. It helped to sharpen my knowledge.
This aspect was very well planned.
Handouts on the EMC on the sheet are a little faded to be recognized with the naked eyes.
Time is a factor that at times becomes a constraint.
Content was relevant and very informative.
Content is very good but the work load was very heavy because of the limited time. I would like to suggest that the writing of the questions etc be done earlier in the day to ensure the task is completed.
The content satisfied all the relevant areas of the management course.
I have gained new insights about the content and a variety of ways to present the same quality of handouts concise and informative.
The content was loaded and well balanced.
Content presented has empowered me to become a more efficient ant effective master trainer and also leader of my school.
Workshop objectives were met due to well done presentation.
Content of workshop was excellent, timely and relevant to everyday issues. With this knowledge gathered a big difference will be seen. As a master trainer, I am now more conversant with what has to be done.
Such a workshop in terms of content is very relevant to our education system which is declining in some aspects.

Facilitators
1. Knowledge and skills 99% satisfaction
2. Approach and presentational style 99% satisfaction
3. Organization of the Workshop 98% satisfaction
Overall Satisfaction of Facilitators was 99%

Comments Made:
All of the presenters / facilitators are very good. They deserve more than a loud round of applause. There is probably no way in which we can thank them enough.
Just excellent or even more excellent. Facilitators need the highest commendation. Non-pariel effort.
Facilitators shared vast knowledge and skill to hold the interest of participants.
Were excellent in every aspect of the workshop. Has inspired me to strive for excellence.
The facilitators did their best throughout the workshop. I know it took a lot out of them.
The facilitators are knowledgeable of all aspects of the workshop. V-good.
Very knowledgeable and skillful facilitators. The sessions were very interactive and participatory.
The facilitators have tremendous knowledge of matters discussed.
Very inspiring. I will do my best to emulate them.
Facilitators had through knowledge of what was presented.
Facilitators were prepared and organized.
Need to convince REDOs and other officers of the importance of this course and encourage others to give full support to master trainers and trainees. So that other courses can contribute to live up to its expectations.
The facilitators were very vibrant and very clear
Facilitators were very knowledgeable. Hats off to Mr. Stephen Harding. You are GREAT!!
Had a through knowledge. Warm up exercise/ice breakers were very appropriate.
If only I could return to my trainees and be even half as good as Mary and Stephen, I will indeed be happy. I do hope that I will be able to motivate my trainees so that our children will grow from strength to strength.

Venue and Resources
1. Auditorium - NCERD 97% satisfaction
2. Quality of Resources received 98% satisfaction
Overall Satisfaction of Venue and Resources 98%

Other comments made:
· Auditorium was very spacious but AC is always a problem for me it makes me cold. Thanks so much to both Mary and Stephen for the wonderful job you have done to help the delivery of education in Guyana. I just wish there were officers in the highest level – (ministry) who could have been just as motivating and supporting.
· Meals for the last three days were the best and the caterer (s) should be retained for future session.
· This training was very timely. It helps in cleaning up issues with regards to the training programme.
· These were very good.
· An excellent workshop.
· The 5 day workshop was extremely important to me.
· All master trainers to be provided with a laptop computer.
· Lots of thoughts and hard work has been put into this workshop by the facilitators and the master trainers to make it a success it was. Frankly it was great being at this workshop. Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Harding
· More time for active activity by individuals and as regional groups.
· Could not have been better.
· Congratulations to the team. ‘Job well done’
· I felt engaged and refreshed and more knowledgeable than when I came.
· The workshop was timely and rewarding. I have been empowered and enthusiastic to encourage trainees to improve the standard of the education system.
· I like the conference room.
· Venue was comfortable and resources adequate, timely and informative.
· I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the director and all staff members.
· There should have been more including management test and laptop computers.

General Report
I am pleased to report that the Workshop for Master Trainers for the Education Management Programme held in NCERD from 4th to 8th August 2008, according to the participants’ evaluations above, was a great success. The overall satisfaction rate was 98%

Although there was some educational theory, the activities were mainly of a practical nature relating to schools. The principle theme was one of “Proactive Leadership” and how Headteachers, through their own practice can influence the direction of a school in a positive way. Great emphasis was placed on the “expectations” of Headteachers and the “accountability of all in the system

We were able to have frank and open discussions about the current situation relating to the education system in Guyana and have focused on solutions and overall principles. These principles have been embraced by the participants

The attendance and participation was excellent and the Master Trainers have displayed a passionate and informed desire for improvement of the system through the provision of support for all staff at every level. It is clear that they have welcomed and embraced many of the changes and suggestions given in the last training session.

In the results of the last cohort of trainees, there was a pass rate in excess of 94% - the best ever. The average score was higher than any other previous year. The examination focused much more on skills and evaluation rather than simply recall of information. The best performers were in regions away from Georgetown in Regions 6, 10 & 3

We all now feel that there is a need for all officers of the Ministry of Education and Regional Departments of Education to take a greater ownership of the course, its management and organization and support of its participants.

On the final day, we were pleased to have received the Honourable Minister of Education, Mr Shaik Baksh who gave us his views on the programme and the educational provision in Guyana as a whole. This was reported on NCN News and in several newspapers. Below is the text of the report in the Chronicle Newspaper on Saturday 9th August 2008:

A further report and photographs can be found on the Guyana Government Information Agency website http://www.gina.gov.gy/ and the EMC NCERD website http://www.ncerdleaders.com/ which also has a link to the workshop photographs.

Resources
A variety of resources were used including PowerPoint, demonstration charts, flipcharts and a wide range of handouts. A copy of all handouts in a pack was provided for all Master Trainers who could not attend. A Document CD containing all resources and photographs has been provided for each of the regions. All resources, photographs and the programme will be available on the http://www.ncerdleaders.com/ website.

Copies of the resources or further information on this workshop are available from Stephen Harding, Education Management Specialist at NCERD on 227 2865 or 667 5798 cell

Certificate of Participation
All participants were provided with a certificate of participation, which was awarded in the last session.

Thanks
A sincere thanks is offered to the following for their help in preparing the workshop
Mr M. Goolsarran, Director of NCERD, for his guidance and support.
Mr A Kartick, Assessment Officer, for help in delivering the workshop
Miss L Griffith, NCERD Administrator for all of her help behind the scenes as well as printing and resources.
Mr A Sookdeo, Head of MPU NCERD for printing of all of the revised modules and providing printed materials throughout the workshop.
Meg Caton and Mary Harding (Curriculum and SEN Specialists) who assisted in the facilitation of the workshop.
Natitia Elliot (Central High School) and Sachi Devibushram (St Winifride’s School ) Work Study Students for assistance at every stage of the workshop.
Other NCERD staff who worked so hard to set up and dismantle the auditorium.

Stephen Harding
Education Management Specialist
22 August 2008