As you are reading this document, you are probably enrolled in the Education Management Programme offered by the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD), Georgetown. The programme materials comprise nine self-study modules on various aspects of educational management plus this Programme Handbook.
Our Education Management Programme requires you to complete all nine modules plus attend a monthly one day Master Trainer tutorial session. In addition, your Master Trainer will visit your school in the role of supervisor to provide encouragement and support for the duration of the programme. These visits are an opportunity for you to discuss elements of the course and applications in your school. You will be assessed in a variety of ways including formal examination, module assignments, weekly reflections, module activities and a practicum. Details about all of this will be provided for you in the Trainee Assessment Booklet which you will receive at the start of the Programme.
This handbook provides you with useful information on the programme. It starts with a description of NCERD and goes on to answer a number of questions about distance education, Master Trainer and learner roles and other related questions. If you have not been a distance learner before, you will find the section on "studying effectively"* particularly useful. Many of us have not taken an education course for some time, so information on study skills will be a useful refresher.
We have tried to anticipate the questions you might have about the programme and your role in it. If we have not covered some point of concern to you, please ask for clarification from either the Master Trainer or the staff at NCERD dealing with the Programme.
Contained in this Programme Handbook, you will also find important information about the origins of the course, the role of the Headteacher, the nature of school headship in Guyana, accountability issues, a training needs assessment, a leadership skills analysis as well as other information which we feel you will find useful.
You should read the whole document as a preparation for starting the Programme. There are no assessed activities but the handbook contains a number of reflections and asks you to make preparations for your 18 month training programme. We wish you every success in your endeavours and hope and expect that you will graduate with flying colours in order to provide quality leadership for a vital part of Guyana’s educational future.
Pleasant reading!
