Reformed curriculum expanding to more schools, classrooms

A reformed school curriculum will be introduced to more schools and classrooms, according to the Director of the National Centre of Educational Resources (NCERD) Quenita Walrond-Lewis.

Walrond-Lewis was discussing the curriculum on the Education Ministry’s Education Spotlight programme when she announced the expansion to hinterland regions for the school year in 2023. The reformed curriculum is undergoing a phased rollout to schools in every region.

“We are no longer teaching for regurgitation of facts; we are looking for our learners to become critical and cognitive thinkers in their education.

“Our renewed curriculum is firmly rooted in that framework. Even as you go through the discreet subject areas, you’re going to see certain things that are unique to our Guyanese context.

“That is put over in a sense that is more student-centered for our learners, easier for our teachers to apply and we have taken the guesswork out,” the Director said.

Walrond-Lewis explained that no longer should the teacher be regarded as the all-knowing person in the classroom. Students can learn more when they feel like they can share information.

It is currently offered to Grades One and Two in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and Ten but the curriculum for Grades Three to Four will be offered soon.

Meanwhile, hinterland regions will get the curriculum in 2023. The curriculum for grades One to Nine is already prepared but has not been implemented at these levels.

Walrond-Lewis said the phased rollout is encouraged by schools, with more schools asking when they will be able to teach using it.

Some 105 schools across coastland regions use the reformed curriculum. This curriculum is focused on not only teaching and learning but ensuring that students can properly comprehend topics.

Teachers are also trained on how to properly convey the curriculum to the learners.

According to the NCERD Director, the teachers undergo preparatory and methodology training.

“So it’s not just here you go make it happen. It’s we’re with you every step of the way to prepare you to launch and once you’ve launched out we’re with you until you’re comfortable enough to go it alone,” she explained.

The teachers are trained in smaller groups as compared to previous training. The meetings are held monthly, with teachers sent into the classrooms to teach. This activity is repeated to ensure that the teachers can take in what they are taught and then go into the classrooms.

Walrond-Lewis said the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) has been supportive in training teachers throughout this process.