Parents and teachers are under enormous pressure

The state of affairs in Guyana’s schools are getting worse as the days goes by. The minister and the Ministry of Education seems none too worried about it. Since school started in September, parents were asked to contribute to the daily operations of the school. We were called upon to provide chalk, cardboard, markers, pay P.T.A dues ($500.00 per month) and to add insult to injury, just recently, to print end of term test papers. Complaints to the Headteacher are being rebutted with, “the Department of Education did not give us these materials, how yuh want de teacha to teach?” Mind you the pupils that don’t contribute are penalized. This is so hard especially with the cost of everything in the market.

We were told that it will be a continuous assessment. My child and I have been busy with projects and assignments, even end of the month test. Why at such short notice? Some schools are already asking for as much as $1,200 per child. How will a parent with 3 children attending school afford cost for paper, plus the P.T.A dues and whatever else that will be asked? This term is has riddled with so many challenges; with the implementation of the “Enhanced Curriculum”, the training that trains teachers how to deliver this curriculum, plus the Diagnostics Assessment where one copy was given to each class and the teacher was expected to execute.

What will the pupils be tested on? How effectively will this be done? We have been seeing a large outcry from teachers across the country from the large class size to the unfit working conditions. Now this. As a parent and former teacher, I totally understand the challenges, especially now. Minister of Education, I am asking you, kindly revisit the test for this term as parents will feel the squeeze to pay for it. Please look into the administration of schools since parents are bearing the cost. Look into the welfare of your teachers, they are under a lot of pressure.