36 teachers to serve as Guidance Counselling Officers across 9 regions

The Ministry of Education has listed approximately 36 teachers from across the country to serve in the capacity of guidance and counselling officers at their respective secondary schools.
The 36 counsellors are located across 34 different secondary schools, with nine being located in seven secondary schools in Region One (Barima-Waini); four are at schools in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); two in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); one in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); one in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); three in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); five in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni); nine in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo); and two in Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
There are no officers in Region Five.
In Region One, the officers are located at Santa Rosa, Port Kaituma, Kwebana, Waramuri Secondary, Matthews Ridge, Baramita, and St Nicholas Secondary Schools.
Region Two’s officers are at 8th of May, Charity, Kabakuburi, and Wakapoa Secondary Schools, while in Region Three they are at the Leguan and Essequibo Islands Secondary Schools.
In Region Four the officer is stationed at Dora Secondary School, and in Region Six at Orealla Secondary School.
In Region Seven officers are at Phillipai, DC, Ceasar Fox, and Jawalla Secondary. In Region Eight they are at Mahdia, Kato, Kopinang, Monkey Mountain, and Micobie Secondary.
Region Nine’s officers are at St Ignatius, Aishalton, Annai, Sand Creek, Karasabai, Massara, Maruranau, Nappi, and Tabatinga Secondary Schools. In Region Ten the officers are at Wiruni and Hururu Secondary Schools.
The counsellors were identified in a correspondence sent out by Chief Education Officer (CEO) Saddam Hussain, who noted that the identified teachers would be performing the new roles at their respective schools, and as such should not be teaching within the classrooms but instead carry out responsibilities associated with their new roles as Guidance and Counselling Officers. Hussain noted that the teachers are undergoing training for their new roles.
“These teachers are currently being trained to function in this role. Accordingly, they should not be timetabled to teach, as they are expected to carry out all responsibilities associated with the Guidance and Counselling Officer role. Where necessary, these teachers may also serve as form teachers or class teachers,” Hussain noted.
This latest cohort of Guidance and Counselling Officers will add to existing officers that are already in place at a number of secondary schools across the country. Last year Guidance and Counselling Officers were placed in 92 of Guyana’s 116 secondary schools, with some schools having two or three officers based on assessed needs.
An increase in guidance counsellors at schools across the country has been part of the Government’s approach to tackling bullying and mental health issues facing learners in schools across the country.
Following growing social concern over the rise of bullying and violence among students from various schools across the country, the Government has been increasing measures and initiatives to tackle the issue. Earlier this year, the Education Ministry conducted a nationwide consultation process aimed at developing a comprehensive anti-bullying and anti-violence policy for schools across Guyana.
During those consultations, the need for the expansion and improvement of counselling services was among some of the key points discussed.