Education Ministry wants to simplify learning with technology in classrooms – Manickchand

The Education Ministry is endeavouring to introduce technology to classrooms, and the leadership is now examining ways in which learning can be made easier and highly-interactive.
Education Minister Priya Manickchand on Monday shared at an event that if classrooms are connected to technology, then the instructional time can be spent doing various activities to promote hands-on learning, as opposed to just taking notes from a chalkboard.
Before the year ends, the Education Ministry is hoping to pilot this new method in a few schools.
“Our dream is to have all schools, beginning with high schools at least, connected to technology in the classroom. Instead of regurgitating notes and writing it on the blackboard and writing it back in books, could be screengrab and send it to devices in the classroom and spend the time instead discussing this, acting out the concept we’re trying to teach, drawing it, singing it,” she discussed.

Understanding that there might be resistance, Minister Manickchand underscored that the education system must evolve to build on what works. Through innovation, learning can be interactive and effective.
“We’re trying to get those schools also connected, get the teachers trained. I am sure everybody is going to be onboard when they see how effective that can be because I’m convinced that all teachers want children to leave their classrooms learning. So, what are the different innovative ways of teaching we must test even as we hold on to what we know has worked.”
The Education Minister said that for such to be successful, it would require synchrony from the institutions such as the National Centre for Education Resource Development, the Cyril Potter College of Education and the University of Guyana.
Sweeping changes are being made to the education system in Guyana. A few months ago, the Minister stated that efforts were set in motion to ensure that every child in the secondary school system is exposed to at least one foreign language, a musical instrument, a sport, and a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) subject.
This will not be limited to national schools or those on the coastland, but every school in the country. By doing this, she explained that they are catering to the needs and interests of the new generation.
Added to this is the rollout of a new literacy programme across the education system during this new academic year. This has been introduced in order to prevent school dropout and cultivate stronger academic performance, having noticed that literacy is integrally linked to a child’s educational advancement.
Meanwhile, there is an aggressive push to achieve universal secondary education in the next couple of years, pursued with the building out of several schools in various regions. These are being created with space for modern amenities.