On Friday, the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) celebrated one of the largest graduating cohorts in the country’s history, with 1,345 new teachers completing their training in various fields. The graduation ceremony, held at the Providence National Stadium, was themed “Empowering Educators, Inspiring Futures: A Legacy of Excellence.”
Minister of Education Sonia Parag delivered the keynote address, commending the graduates for their resilience during the challenges posed by the pandemic and reaffirming the government’s commitment to ensuring that every classroom is staffed by a trained teacher. “After this graduation, the percentage of trained teachers in the hinterland will be close to 92 percent,” she announced, receiving loud applause from the audience.
Parag emphasized the critical role of education in national development, stating, “The country cannot transform without our human capital transforming with it. Being a teacher means being a lifelong learner, constantly seeking new ways to inspire and engage your students.”
This year’s graduating class includes 388 teachers in Early Childhood Education, 384 in Primary Education, 303 in Secondary Education (including TVET, GTE, and TTE), and 35 in other specializations.
“I implore you, as you step out of this college, to take with you every ounce of training and experience and impart it in a manner that will not just be momentous but impactful in the classroom,” Parag urged the new educators.
CPCE also reported an impressive 94.25 percent matriculation rate, reflecting the institution’s strengthened training systems. Since 2020, over 6,000 teachers have graduated from CPCE, with another 1,456 students currently enrolled across 20 satellite centers nationwide.
Dr. Kofi Dalrymple, Advisor to the Ministry of Education on Tertiary Reform, delivered a charge to the graduates, encouraging them to recognize the power they hold as educators. “In every classroom, under every tree, in every virtual lesson, you shape destinies. Education is not merely instruction; it is transformation, the daily renewing of our minds,” he stated.
He urged the new teachers to teach with compassion and courage, saying, “Teach not what is written, but what is right. Go forth as teachers, as nation builders, as guardians of Guyana’s promise.”
CPCE’s leadership reiterated its commitment to providing the nation’s schools with 100 percent trained teachers, underscoring the importance of quality education in shaping the future of Guyana.
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