The Education Ministry says that it has upgraded the conditions under which students learn and live at the nation’s premier teachers’ college, the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE).
The improvements include the acquisition of a Fumes Cupboard, the increased supply of water to the dormitories, the provision of meals to non-resident students
Improvements at CPCE include the acquisition of a Fumes Cupboard
and the implementation of the Pastoral Care Initiative.
“The Fumes Cupboard was acquired through funding that was given to the institution by President David Granger back in 2016. This is the first time in the stint of the current Principal of the CPCE that the institution was able to procure a Fumes Cupboard,” a statement from the Ministry said.
The purpose of the Cupboard is to capture all the chemical fumes that are toxic within the science laboratories. This will ensure the safety of the students while they are using the laboratory facilities. The CPCE has three laboratories, and steps are being taken to acquire two more Fumes Cupboards to properly outfit the remaining laboratories.
The Ministry also noted that the CPCE, having listened to the concerns of its students, has improved the volume of water that serves the dormitories.
“The need for additional water being supplied to the dormitories was raised at a fact-finding session held with President David Granger and Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry,” the Ministry said.
Previously, only 2000 gallons of water was available to the dormitories which house roughly 250 students. The Ministry explained that the institution could now supply 8000 gallons of water to the dormitories. During the fact-finding session, students also raised issues related to other dormitory facilities. The dormitories have been repainted with 80 per cent of the work completed. Work was also done inside the dormitories in the form of servicing and replacing windows so as to improve living conditions among other necessary repairs.
“Moreover, the CPCE’s Student Development Centre has implemented the Pastoral Care Initiative. This programme was introduced in December 2015. The students are afforded a one-on-one interaction with lecturers and volunteers to discuss whatever issues each student may want to ventilate, whether it be academic or personal so that they can receive help,” the statement read. This Initiative is being executed with the understanding that the institution, including administrative and academic staff, cannot appear nor operate in a mechanical manner by not acknowledging that hundreds of students may need additional support.
