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 It has been updated and refreshed in December 2015 with older, out of date material removed, incorporating a new look.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.

42 new graduates of the EMC in Region 5

No 29 Primary School in Region 5 was decked out to receive 42 new graduates of the Education Management Programme. The graduates had spent 18 months studying on the programme run by the Ministry of Education NCERD. It caters for serving and aspiring Headteachers.

The invited guests, family and friends and colleague Headteachers listened to the development of the Programme in the Region since it started 6 years ago. The number of graduates has almost doubled with each of the three cohorts and 97 have already applied for the next group to start later this month. One speaker quoted the longest serving master trainer Ms Ethlyn Kendall as saying some time ago that she wanted Education Management to become an "infectious disease" in the region. It certainly appears that way.

Addresses were made by the chairperson for the day, a former graduate of the programme, who ably led the proceedings, the Regional Chairman, the Regional Executive Officer and the REDO for Region 5. The presence of such eminent persons clearly indicates the importance placed on excellent leadership in the Region's schools. Mr Stephen Harding, Education Management Specialist and VSO responsible for the training of the programme, gave the feature address. He noted that the graduates were now academically prepared for a senior leadership role in a Guyanese school but that would only be the start of the journey. They need to show by their determination, practice and efforts to be worthy of the role. He placed great emphasis on earning respect rather than just expecting respect because they were in a leadership role.

Mrs Mary Harding, Literacy Specialist and VSO along with the Regional Executive Officer distributed the certificates and the trophies for the best performers. Mr Andrew Kartick from NCERD led the "Charge" with two poems which highlighted the importance of the child as an individual. Region 5 is now ready for the next round of the programme. Its master trainers are Mr Dyiaram Samaroo, Mr Harold Lewis, Ms Ethlyn Kendall and Ms Monica Fraser-Carmichael who, as Headteacher, allowed her school to be used for the Graduation.

Congratulations to the new Educational leaders of Region 5!

Graduation in Region Two

The Education Management Programme is going from strength to strength in Region Two. This was the region which piloted the programme in 2000 and is about to start with its fifth cohort of trainees. It was also the first region to hold its graduation which coincided with Education Month.

The Graduation, which was held at Anna Regina Multilateral School was introduced by the Chairperson Ms Yvonne Castello, who is also one of the Master Trainers on the course whose group of trainees come from the Pomeroon River. An overview of the Programme was given by Mr Maydha Persaud who is another Master Trainer and Commissioner of the Teaching Service Commission as well as retired Headteacher. The Education Management Specialist from NCERD , who is a VSO from England, gave the Feature Address and urged the graduates to remain steadfast in displaying their leadership skills so as to lead schools successfully through the first half of the 20th Century.

All of the three groups of graduates, which numbered 42 in all, offered a cultural piece to the audience of well wishers, regional officials, Headteachers, teachers, family and friends. Certificates were distributed and prizes were given to the best performers. The top scoring graduate, Laljeet Ruplall offered the Vote of Thanks and the Charge was given by the country's top performing graduate in 2006, Sandra Narine.

The Graduation was attended by, amongst others, the Region's Head of the Education Department, Mr Bardewan Ghir Rambarran, the Regional Executive Officer, Mr Sunil Singh and the Vice Chairman of Region Two, Mr Vishnu Samaroo.

Group 3 Representative performs a poem about "Motivation". Other groups offered a poem and a song and a sketch on "Leadership Styles".


To see all of the photographs of this Graduation, click on the photograph below:-

Mr Mayda Persaud gave an overview of the Programme

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.

Applications for Education Management Programme

Applications

are invited from suitably qualified Headteachers,

Senior and Middle leaders in schools, Regional Education Staff and Officers of the Ministry of Education

Where to Apply

Guyana Ministry of Education

National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD)

Education Management Certificate Programme

The Programme is a Distance Education Course lasting 18 months, in two parts, covering every aspect of school leadership, leading to the Education Management Certificate.

Applicants must have significant experience and be working or have worked in the school education sector at least at Middle Leadership level (HOD, Level Head, SM, DHM or HM) or as a Regional or Ministry of Education Officer.

Application forms can be uplifted from the Regional Education Office or the Department of Education in Georgetown. They must be completed and endorsed by the REDO / PEO.

Resources Exhibition at NCERD

Many persons involved in the Leadership of schools took the time when in Georgetown to visit the Resources Exhibition in NCERD which was opened by the Honourable Minister of Education Shaik Baksh. We must thank, in particular, the Head of the Learning Resource Development Unit of NCERD, Rajwantie Permaul and her team for setting up the exhibition.

In his keynote address, the Minister made a number of important comments. He talked about the expansion of NCERD  as a training agency and, in particular a training initiative for all in the education sector which was being prepared to roll out in the next twelve months.

He was particularly clear about the need for senior educational leaders, especially in the Ministry of Education to go into schools on a more regular basis in order to develop the education system. He had been concerned also about the way resources had often not been used and had been locked away in cupboards. He promise action "to unlock the cupboards".

The Chief Education Officer (ag), Genievieve Whyte-Nedd urged teachers to use resources in the classroom as educational tools to promote learning rather tha simply to decorate classrooms.

We can all learn from this. We have been clear in NCERD about the need for a reduction in bureaucracy which will lead to Headteachers and Senior Leaders in schools being able to leave their offices, manage and lead by walking about and, in particular, advise teachers on how to improve the quality of learning and teaching in their classrooms. We will all accept that a good learning environment is paramount in providing the appropriate atmosphere in which children will learn.

The Opening was reported on NCN news and other channels. You will find extracts below, courtesy of GINA. You will note that a new Primary Resource Room was set up in NCERD alongside the existing one for Nursery Schools. This work was done by Ms Florence Sukhdeo (BEAMS Nursery Adsviser) in conjunction with VSO.

"A four- day exhibition on learning resources was declared opened today by Minister of Education Shaik Baksh at the National Centre for Education and Resource Development (NCERD), Kingston as part of the activities for the observance of Education Month under the theme ‘Education of the child: a parent and teacher obligation’.Minister Baksh noted that the Ministry of Education is aiming towards a special programme for continuous professional development of teachers throughout the school system which will be commencing during the latter part of 2009 as it would require preparation and designing.He said that the programme will be in collaboration with the Ministry’s Fast Track Initiative(FTI) programme.

Minister Baksh pointed out that a second new policy decision of the Ministry deals with the setting up of a National Committee for open and distance learning. A consultant has already been identified to develop that policy which will straddle all the sectors of the education system.

The Minister reiterated that government has spent $2.5 billion over the past three years in providing learning resources to the educational sector.He said under the five years of the strategic education plan, there is an aim to have Information Technology taught in 50 percent of the Primary Schools and also in the Secondary and Post- Secondary institutions of Guyana.

Minister Baksh urged that literature should be a compulsory subject for the Science and Business streams at schools to enhance students’ reading ability. He also urged that reading tents should be set up at least once every month in areas across Georgetown and once a month in each Region to encourage reading and learning throughout Guyana.Head of the Learning Resource Development Unit of NCERD, Rajwantie Permaul said that “learning resources are information represented and stored in a variety of medium and format can assist students’ learning as defined by the curricula.” Permaul said that “learning resources are intended for use by teachers, students and parents to foster learning both at school and at home.

Chief Education Officer (ag), Genevieve Whyte-Nedd said that the collaboration of stakeholders is often encouraged but that this year the main focus is on parents. Whyte-Nedd pointed out that the learning resources cut across various subjects but it is important that they are multi-centered.

“This is very important for our teachers and parents since many children do not learn from a single mould. Some learn fast from audio, some from video and others from a combination”, she said.

The exhibition is scheduled to run from today September 9 to September 12 starting from 9:00 am daily at NCERD. It aims to sensitize the public on the type of learning materials available for the teachers and parents to help their children in their pursuit of knowledge towards a career, to expose teachers to the best practices in the classroom, to help teachers and parents to improve their teaching skills at school and home, and to expose teachers to innovative technology that can be used in the classroom to create opportunities."

An example of a classroom display used as a learming tool for story writing