Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand announced on Tuesday that a comprehensive math intervention programme is forthcoming, along with significant expansions in technical and vocational education and training (TVET).
During a press engagement, Minister Manickchand emphasized the government’s commitment to improving mathematics proficiency across primary and secondary education levels. “We are starting a mathematics intervention that will see improved results both at the primary and secondary level,” she stated. This initiative is set to include an extensive provision of essential educational materials. Schools will be supplied with textbooks, scientific calculators, geometry sets, graph books, past exam papers, and topic-by-topic past papers.
The intervention will not only focus on materials but also on enhancing the quality of math instruction. Minister Manickchand also highlighted the importance of ongoing teacher development: “There will be an improved and robust training and retraining of the people teaching mathematics.” The initiative even plans to integrate distance education methods, utilizing television, the internet, and radio to support students’ learning processes. This multi-faceted approach aims to ensure that students have access to quality education resources regardless of their location.
In addition to the focus on mathematics, the Ministry of Education is set to roll out a significant TVET intervention. “You’re also going to see a robust TVET intervention,” Minister Manickchand asserted, acknowledging the increasing demand for skilled labor in Guyana. With the construction industry and other sectors requiring skilled workers such as heavy-duty operators and masons, the government is keen to prepare students for these lucrative job markets.
Minister Manickchand also pointed out the importance of this intervention in addressing the skills gap within the country. “In the country right now, it’s the skills that are needed; the heavy-duty operators, the masons, the people who are being hired by the construction industry, where they are earning sensibly and adequately to look after their families,” she explained. The minister also noted that TVET programmes will be integrated into existing educational frameworks, ensuring students who wish to enter these fields receive the necessary training and qualifications.
The Education Minister also detailed that these interventions reflect a broader vision for Guyana’s education system, one that balances academic excellence with practical skills training. By ensuring that students are well-equipped both academically and vocationally, the government hopes to foster a generation of well-rounded individuals capable of contributing to the nation’s growth.
