Hutson likely to be new Chief Education Officer

Assistant Chief Education Officer (Primary), Marcel Raymond Hutson is most likely to become the new Chief Education Officer (CEO).

This was disclosed by Minister of Education, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine on Thursday.

It was recently announced by the Ministry of Education that Olato Sam will no longer be functioning in the capacity of Chief Education Officer, following the decision to not renew his contract.

Sam has served the sector for the past eight years, five of which he served as CEO.

Questioned about the reasons surrounding the non-renewal of Sam’s contract, the Minister explained that the decision was one aimed at ensuring the proper execution of the Ministry’s policies.

“It’s not a shift in policy; it’s a reinforcement of policy …. It’s just that we want to ensure that the CEO is in fact, carrying out policy directions of the ministry. There were some areas where we had complaints from teachers and that kind of thing… they were credible enough for one to question whether or not this is the right person for the job,” Minister Roopnaraine explained.

Further, the minister said the continued presence of the former CEO, at the Ministry of Education, despite previous announcements of his departure, is to allow him the full benefits of leave which would have accumulated over the years.

The Minister said, “It’s not unlikely we have to make a determination of what needs to be done and whether Mr. Hutson himself feels that he is up to executing these tasks.”

Mr. Hutson has a Trained Class 1 Grade 1 Teacher’s Certificate, Bachelor of Social Science Degree in Sociology, Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theology, Post Graduate Diploma in Education Administration and Master’s in Education Management Planning and Supervision.

Additionally, he holds a certificate in the Management and Delivery of Education in Guyana via the Ministry of Education’s first Teacher Cadet Scheme, a Certificate in Reforming School Supervision for Quality Improvement (IIEP) through UNESCO and a Certificate of Training in Project Management through the Government of Guyana and Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

(GINA)