The second largest CPCE cohort called for quality education

– Prime Minister Phillips and Minister Manickchand once again express the government’s willingness to support teachers in carrying out their duties

A record 1,502 teachers graduated from the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) on Friday, the second-largest cohort in the institution’s history.
The end of the school year ceremony took place at the National Stadium in Providence, where teachers in various categories received diplomas, including: in the field of early childhood, primary and secondary education, as well as technical and vocational education (TVET).

Among the graduates, 447 specialized in early childhood education, 602 in primary school, 169 in secondary school, 251 in secondary vocational education and 33 in technical teaching. With a total enrollment of 1,818, the matriculation rate at CPCE reached an impressive 83 percent.

Fiona Sharma, who was honored as the best graduate, expressed her gratitude to CPCE and the government, highlighting their role in her and her peers’ success.
“We are forever grateful to CPCE and the entire government and of course as the times we live in change, systems need to be put in place. So I’m glad that they’re actually making more courses available and inviting more people who want to learn, and of course knowledge is power,” she noted on Friday.

Rhea Sandy, a teacher at Beterverwagting Special Needs Centre, shared how the training had a positive impact on her classroom practice.
“I put everything I have learned over the last two years in college into practice in the classroom and have noticed a huge difference,” Sandy noted.
Edwin Nurse also expressed hope that his achievements would inspire future educators to contribute to the transformation of Guyana’s youth.

Brigadier Prime Minister (retd) Mark Phillips delivered the keynote speech, highlighting the Government’s commitment to education.
“The Government of Guyana remains committed to supporting the vital role you play in society,” said Prime Minister Phillips, recognizing that teachers are essential to the nation’s progress.

He stressed that over the last four years, over $200 billion has been invested in improving the delivery of educational services.
Key progress includes the construction of 80 new schools, the revitalization of over 900 existing schools and the launch of e-learning, which now reaches 91 percent of hinterland communities.
The Prime Minister noted the recent agreement with the Guyana Teachers’ Union which provides teachers with a 27% salary increase by 2026 and a 156% increased incentive for teachers in remote areas to support teachers in the hinterland.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand praised the graduates, highlighting their role in reducing class sizes and improving education outcomes in the regions.

“I am always excited when we can add value to every classroom, and you are our value that we add to every classroom you will stand in front of from now until you leave the teaching profession and even beyond for all those who will stand in front of you,” she said .

The Minister of Education announced significant progress in the field of seconding teachers, aimed at reducing the number of students per teacher across the country, due to the entry of newly trained teachers into the system.
In Region One, 88 teachers will be added this year, reducing the student-teacher ratio in elementary schools from 46-to-1 to 32-to-1, with further reductions expected next year.

Significant progress is also visible at Santa Rosa Elementary School, where the number of trained teachers will almost double, from 15 in 2022 to 28 in 2024.
In Region Two, the number of teachers will increase by 461, reducing the ratio from 16 to 1 to a more manageable 13 to 1 for 6,192 primary school students.

In Region Nine, 83 new teachers will reduce the student-to-teacher ratio from 33-to-1 to 22-to-1, benefiting more than 5,900 primary school students.
Additional efforts have been made in Region Three, where 63 teachers have been added to preschool education to support 3,582 young students.

The number of teachers at Eccles Nursery in Region Four will increase from eight to 18, increasing educational support for young learners in the area.
Meanwhile, CPCE introduced new courses in music, literature, special educational needs and health education as part of its technical and vocational programs, while expanding physical education to coastal and soon to be established inland centers.