Teachers with disabilities receive laptops to support studies

On Friday, a heartwarming initiative unfolded as nine trainee teachers with disabilities inclusive of current and recent graduates of the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) Special Education Needs Programme, were gifted laptops.

This generous contribution came from the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD), with support from the Church of Latter-Day Saints.

Teachers with disabilities are acutely aware of how a reliable laptop, equipped with the right software, can transform their study experience at CPCE. For those who are blind or visually impaired, technology isn’t just a convenience—it’s a lifeline that enables them to engage fully in their education and future careers.

Recognising this critical need, the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD) launched a dedicated project aimed at securing tablets, laptops, and mobility aids in a bid to empower Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and enhance their independence.

Following the recent distribution of 150 tablets to children with disabilities, Friday’s ceremony marked another milestone as laptops were presented to nine dedicated teachers, paving the way for their academic success.

At the laptop presentation held at CPCE in Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara, Ganesh Singh, GCOPD Programme Director, highlighted how technology has a transformational impact on PWDs both for education and employment prospects.

CPCE Registrar Kevaun Sears expressed her delight in the initiative and its impact on the institution, noting that CPCE is thrilled to be at a point where it is about to present the first cohort of graduate teachers with an associate degree in special education.

The GCOPD is the main civil society advocacy body for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) at the national level, working to promote their rights. The Council works in partnership with the National Commission on Disability (NCD) and other agencies to change the negative culture that exists towards persons with disabilities.