NCERD

National Centre for Educational Resource Development

NCERD is an educational institution which caters mainly for In-Service teacher education, based in Georgetown, Guyana.

NCERD was established in 1986 to coordinate the functions initially of six Units. Later, the School Libraries Division & Document Centre was established thus expanding the coordinating functions to cover seven Units. The Vision of the institution states NCERD sees a highly professional, accountable, modern and democratic education service that has the capacity to actualize the variety of individual potentials which will form the bedrock of social and economic development of Guyana.

Mission Statement

The Mission Statement of the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD) states as follows:

To plan and implement all in-service teacher education programmes, in order to improve the quality of education at all levels in the system so that education may serve as an effective instrument of social economic development. Specifically, NCERD intends to develop and implement In-Service Teacher Education Programmes that are designed to enhance the capacities of Guyanese schools to become effective, inclusive and successfully learning communities. Deliver quality education through the dissemination of well researched pedagogical findings. Create environment and opportunities that will facilitate, nurture and sustain the empowerment of students and teachers through the development and actualization of individual potentials.

Organisation and Management

Under the umbrella of NCERD the work of the following are coordinated:

Curriculum Development and Implementation Unit, Measurement, Evaluation and Research Unit, Learning Resources Development Unit, Materials Production Unit, Distance Education and Information Unit, School Libraries Division, Administrative Unit.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide In-service and continuous training (professional, continuous growth and development) for teachers and other personnel.

• Expand opportunities for in-service teacher education.

• Advise on policy guidelines which relate specifically to Regional Learning Resources Centres (RLRC).

• Conceptualize, develop, evaluate and procure learning resources.

• Train library assistants, laboratory technicians and teacher librarians.

• Promote the practice of more effective teaching strategies.

• Provide assistance in the classroom management.

• Upgrade the qualifications of untrained teachers in the regions, through Distance and Open learning methodology.

• Provide formal and non-formal educational radio programmes.

• Process examination papers and analyzing result for use by the relevant personnel within the Ministry and other agencies.

• Develop tests and scales required for national examinations.

• Formulate and process national Grades 2, 4, 6, & 9 Assessments, and Guyana Technical Education Examination (GTEE).

• Print, collate, store and package papers for examination.

• Order and distribute books and service equipment for school libraries.

• Prepare and make necessary adjustments to annual work programme and budget estimates.

• Each Unit has its own Mission Statement and Objectives.

Curriculum Development and Implementation Unit

Mission Statement

The Curriculum Development and Implementation Unit responsible for conceptualizing, development and Implementation Unit is responsible for conceptualizing, developing, testing and evaluating curriculum and other related materials that are pedagogically sound for Nursery, Primary and Secondary Schools.

This Unit has as its objectives the following:

• Development and test materials that are relevant and culturally appropriate.

• Ensure that the process of integration and infusion guide the approach in curriculum development.

• Ensure the unitary delivery of the curriculum in contrast to a fragmented subject-based approach.

• Encourage the participation of all stakeholders in developmental process of materials created for schools.

• Train a cadre of teachers in Curriculum management techniques in each region.

• Provide training support for practicing teachers.

• Prepare and make necessary adjustment to annual work programme and budget estimates.

Measurement, Evaluation and Research Unit

Mission Statement The mission of Measurement, Evaluation and Research Unit is to develop evaluation and assessment procedures so as to obtain and provide useful information that would facilitate more effective learning and teaching as well as sound decision-making within the Ministry of Education ansd other related agencies.

This Unit has as its objectives the following:

• Expose teachers and other education personnel to the fundamental issues and concepts involved in Assessment.

• Sensitize individuals to the need for objective and professional assessment of student learning within the classroom as well as regionally nationally.

• Equip individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills of selecting and constructing appropriate assessment instruments.

• Facilitate the use of assessment instruments at classroom levels, as well as regionally and nationally for assessing student strengths and weaknesses, and to provide relevant information for planning appropriate instructional programmes.

• Formulate final assessment instruments for National Examinations.

• Prepare and make necessary adjustment to annual work programme and budget estimates.

• Acquaint/remind staff security measures and secrecy with respect to the preparation and storage of examination papers.