What is NCERLEADERS and the Education Management Programme?

NCERDLEADERS was created as a joint project between the UK based Voluntary Service Overseas, the Commonwealth Institute and the National Centre for Education Resource Development, Ministry of Education in Georgetown Guyana.

The site was developed by the VSO Education Management Specialist at NCERD and principally contains information relating to Education Management and Leadership in Guyana. It has been updated and refreshed in December 2015 with older, out of date material removed, incorporating a new look. We hope you like the improvements.

The project was developed to support Educational Leaders both at the national and local level as well as Headteachers, prospective Headteachers and teachers. Along with this, its main function is to provide a distance learning tool for the Guyana Education Management Certificate. 

As you will see, all of the materials for that programme are published on this site. They can be found on the sidebar to the right. Click on the link and you will find the text only modules. Below those, you will find a link to download the modules in PDF format. You can save them on your computer and read them when you like.

Links to other interesting areas and sites can be found on the tabs above. You will also find numerous links to other educational websites in Guyana and around the world. Feel free to look through them.

And finally, the Education Management Programme is equally valid in educational settings around the world, not just in Guyana. You can adapt the materials to suit your own needs. The resources are Free.

If you feel you want to comment on anything in the site, you can do so at the end of each article or you can contact us by email. See the sidebar on the right for details.

Region 3 Awards Ceremony for Management Trainees

The Graduates

Eighteen trainees met with their families, friends, wellwishers and colleagues at the West Demerara Secondary School for the last of the graduations for the 2006 -2008 batch of Education Management Programme Trainees.

The following officiated at the ceremony:

Welcome - Ms Myrtle Caldeira - Master Trainer

Chairman - Mr Patrick John

Opening Remarks - Ms Marlyn Jones-O'Donogue - Regional Education Officer (ag)

Overview of course - Mr Stephen Harding - Education Management Specialist

Guest Speaker - Ms Donna Chapman - DCEO (D)

Charge - -Mr Andrew Kartick - NCERD

Appreciation Mr Devendre Persaud - Graduate

Regional Chairman offers congratulation

There were special items from Ms Megan Clarke, Ms Carmel Roberts, Ms Beverley Munesar,

Mr Patrick John and a pupil from Malgre Tout Primary School. There were remarks made by the Regional Chairman, Ms Moses Grant (Master Trainer) and Ms Chiveon Bovell (trainee).

All were presented with certificates for succeeding in the 18 month programme and the top performer - Ms Sharmilla Ramkissoon and regional runner up - Ms Chiveon Bovell were presented with trophies.

Mr Kartick gives the Charge

NCERD offers congratulations to all of the graduates.

If you want to see more photographs, click on the link below:

Region 3 Graduation December 2008

The Programme

89 Teachers Graduate in the Education Management Programme in Georgetown

We are pleased to report that the biggest cohort of graduates from Georgetown met in the auditorium of Queens College for their graduation of the Education Management Programme. This is the largest group in the country and they were taught by 5 Master Trainers.

The programme started with the procession of the graduates to the march of the Guyana Police Band who later played a medley as part of the entertainment. Dressed in light blue and white silk capes, the graduates entered the hall to receive their certificates and prizes for the best performers.

It was a grand occasion with many well wishers, family, headteachers, teachers and officers of the Ministry of Education and the Georgetown Department of Education.

The proceedings were ably led by the chairperson for the day - the Headteacher of Winfer Gardens Primary School, herself a former graduate of the Programme. Stephen Harding, the Education Management Specialist and VSO from NCERD gave the overview of the programme and the certificates were presented by his wife Mary Harding (Literary Specialist) and Andrew Kartick from NCERD. The trophies were distributed by Mr Tiwari (DCEO ADMIN of the Ministry of Education) who also gave the feature address in the place of the Minister of Education,Honourable Shaik Baksh, who was unable to attend.

Trophies were awarded to the Best Graduating Students in Georgetown - Second Runner-up Shelly Anne Harris, the First Runner-up Samantha Williams and the best Graduating Student Sharon Smith. Ms Williams and Ms Smith received also the awards for the best graduating students in the whole country. Congratulations.

Along with songs, a dance and an excellent motivating poem from a student of North Ruimveldt Multilateral School, it was a memorable occasion.

If you wish to see all of the photographs from the graduation, please click on the picture below. If you have a slow connection, remember to give them time to load.

You can make the pictures bigger by clicking on the picture below.

Georgetown EMC Graduation

Region 7 EMC Graduation

The graduates of the Education Management Programme in Region 7 met in the Resource Centre to receive their certificates and prizes. The Chairperson, Ms Carolina Joseph, Headteacher of a local nursery school ably led the proceedings and, with humour, introduced the two Master Trainers Ms Cecelia Joseph-English and Ms Deborah Gomes and the main speaker Mr Stephen Harding, Education Management Specialist and VSO from NCERD.

Mr Andrew Kartick from NCERD gave an overview of the Programme and the certificates and trophies were distributed by Mr Derek Lovell (Region 7 VSO) and his wife Mrs Trudy Lovell (VSO Region 7). There were cultural items from Beach View Nursery and Bartica Secondary School. Ms Magnel David, the top performer in the Region, gave the Valedictorian Speech.

You will find all of the pictures for the graduation by clicking on the link or the picture below:

Region 7 Graduation

Region 7 Graduation

Region 4 & Region 8 meet for Graduation

Diamond Secondary School was the host for the Graduates of the Education Management Certificate Programme in Region 4 in their graduation exercise on Monday 6th October 2008.

Along with the 55 graduates who completed the course were two teachers from Region 8 who chose to receive their certificates and awards in town rather than in Paramakatoi. Mr Udho, Master Trainer and former Education Officer led the procedings, introducing the chairperson who was a former graduate of the Programme. The guest speaker was the Education Management Specialist from NCERD, Mr Stephen Harding. He was introduced by Nichola Matthews, a Master Trainer, Headteacher and former graduate, who in a previous year had been the top of her class.

Ms Cheryl Cyrus gave the Vote of Thanks after the graduands received their certificates and the highest performers were given trophies.

To see the photographs, please click on the picture below:-

Region # 4 Graduation

To see the report of the graduation in Region Two, click here

Motivating Children and Teachers

There are all sorts of things that motivate adults. They range from good salaries to favourable working conditions and promotion prospects to job satisfaction. But we all know that some of these are not easily provided. However, one of the biggest motivators is reward for a "job well done". It doesn't have to be a major ceremony in front of all one's colleagues but simply a word in a teacher's ear about something that they have done well, showing that you recognise it and appreciate him / her for doing it.

Some schools have been successful in rewarding teachers in a more formal way. For example, in one school, there are competitions for "Teacher of the Month", "Best Classroom" and even "Most improved punctuality and attendance" In this school, teachers strive to achieve those rewards which are presented each month in front of their colleagues. Another school presents them (not the attendance and punctuality ones) in assembly in front of the whole school and this also helps to motivate the children.

It doesn't have to cost money either. Just a simple certificate or even a letter will suffice showing how you feel about the work the member of staff is doing. These are easily made on a word processor if you have access to one. Think how you feel when somebody tells you that you have done well. Why not try it and let us know how you got on by making a comment from below?

It works even more so with children. But, stickers are expensive and not readily available in Guyana. So why not make some of your own? True, you will need access to a printer and a photocopier but it's worth the effort even if you are in an internet cafe reading this. It will only cost a few dollars and can be used again and again.

Children will work hard for a small reward and especially something they can stick in their books and show their parents. So, we're going to give you a headstart. We've prepared a few simple ones for you to download. They use Microsoft Word so they can be changed or edited as you wish. They are there for ideas. Also the children can colour them in to make them attractive.

Another idea is to have small posters with wording such as "Star of the Week", "Best Attender", "Best Punctuality" These are placed on the classroom wall and each week the name of a child is stuck onto it temporarily and replaced the next week. You can also do it as inter-class and whole school competitions.

So, why not use your imagination and create some of the resources for yourself to motivate your children. Here are some examples of what you might make.

Small Posters ............

Star of the Week Poster

Best Punctuality

Best Attender

Mini Certificates ..............

Well Done

Today's Best Worker

Star of the Week

I tried my best

Has worked well

Great Work

And small certificates...........

General Merit Certificate

If you find it was a successful strategy, just let us know by completing the comments below.