Sixty pre-service secondary-school teachers are to receive specialised training in mathematics and science under a new programme launched by the Ministry of Education, the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) and ExxonMobil Guyana.
The Guyana STEM Teacher Training: Enhancing Learning, Leadership and Academic Rigour (STELLAR) programme was launched on Monday, with Education Minister Sonia Parag delivering the feature address.
According to ExxonMobil, the two-year programme will begin this month and will seek to improve the participants’ subject knowledge, teaching methods and leadership skills. The teachers are expected to apply the training in secondary-school classrooms across the country.
STELLAR is the first major project under the Guyana STEM Initiative, a ten-year programme announced by ExxonMobil in February. The wider initiative is expected to include teacher training, certification, opportunities for students and the construction of two STEM centres.
Parag said the programme was intended to strengthen the teaching of science and mathematics and prepare educators to promote critical thinking and innovation among students.
ExxonMobil Foundation President Alvin Abraham and representatives of the company, CPCE and the Education Ministry attended the launch.
The Department of Public Information reported in February that ExxonMobil had announced a US$100 million investment in STEM education. That report said the initiative would support teacher training and hands-on learning and establish a network of STEM centres, beginning with one at the University of Guyana’s Turkeyen campus.
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