Mathematics workshop held in Aishalton for primary school teachers of South Rupununi

On Saturday the 7^th of June 2014 a workshop on Mathematics was held with the primary school teachers from Aishalton, Awarwanao and Kraraudanao at the primary school in Aishalton. The program was conducted by Sister Mary Peter O.S.U along with Medino Abraham. There were 18 teachers who attended the workshop, most of whom are trained while a few are still in training. The majority of the educators were from the host village Aishalton, and the others from the neighboring communities in the South Rupununi.

The math session commenced at 8:30 am and ended at 2.pm on Saturday. During the morning lectures on mathematics Sister Mary Peter taught innovative pedagogical methods to the educators, for them to teach the students in the primary schools. The methods were in the form of games for children to help them develop an appreciation and love for math from a young age by using concrete objects with the young children.

In the afternoon as a supplement for the theory and practice with the maths games held with the teachers in the morning session, Sister Mary Peter showed the educators a short video about the maths games she spoke of, which was developed by her in collaboration with the Catholic Media Initiatives in Georgetown. At the end of the workshop each school was given a copy of the short video to take back to learn some ideas, and try it in their respective schools.

This initiative from the Catholic Church to help teach math in the schools in region 9, began about 3 years ago when the nun volunteered to assist being a ‘math genius’ from the local church in Guyana. From reality and being in the teaching profession for most of her life, Sister Mary Peter and others had realized that it would be good to work with the local teachers from the primary schools in the Rupununi to support them in having workshops, to learn new and innovative methods to teach math at primary schools, so that the young students at that level can have a solid foundation and be prepared to be ‘capable’ in performing well in math when they enter secondary school.

The nun usually spends two weeks in the Rupununi helping out in keeping workshops on Mathematics for the teachers on weekends. And during the week-days she volunteers to teach math in the Secondary Schools in the Region. She normally helps out at Annai, St. Ignatius, Sand Creek and Aishalton Secondary Schools and Karasabai Primary.

Sister Mary Peter is a remarkable person. For her age she is going strong and has a great spirit and energy to give her time to do generous work in the area of maths for the schools in region 9. The work she is doing is very inspiring for other young people and especially for young Guyanese religious or lay person who has that ‘generous spirit of service from the heart,’ to serve the people in Guyana where ever the need is great.

 Kudos to you Sister, for the great service you are doing in contributing in the area of education in the Lord’s vineyard here in Guyana.

 Our country needs more persons like you. 

God Bless!

Teachers of the South Rupununi