Olato Sam back at Education Ministry

– new head of NCERD appointed 

The Ministry of Education has rehired former Chief Education Officer, Olato Sam as a specialist within the office of the minister and has also recruited a new director for NCERD.

Sam was let go by the coalition government when his contract expired.

In a media release the ministry said Sam is an educator, administrator and leader in the education fraternity with over twenty-five years of service in the field. His leadership abilities have effectively organized, directed and enhanced education systems, institutions, policy structures and programs in various institutions.
During his years in the sector, Mr. Sam has demonstrated success in programme management while keeping pace with educational innovations. He is a strong motivator and team-player with a developmental approach towards improved education output.

Mr. Sam holds a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Sociology, Anthropology and Education from Swarthmore College, Pennsylvania; a Master’s Degree in International Education / Concentration in Latin America and Caribbean Studies from New York University. He is now a Ph.D Candidate of the University of the West Indies, Mona Jamaica where his thesis on Education Policy and Planning is under examination.

The release said Sam considers it an honour to be given the opportunity to serve Guyana in this new capacity. He said, “As educators, it is always our desire to contribute to the development of our country. I have been fortunate to have served in various capacities within the system and this portfolio will facilitate that on a broader level. The Hon. Minister and the Government of Guyana have a vision for the education system in Guyana and I am excited to be able to contribute the skills and knowledge I possess to the realization of same.”

Meanwhile, the ministry also announced the appointment of Mrs. Quenita Walrond- Lewis as the new Director of the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD). She will take up her post on the October 1st, 2020. Quenita Walrond-Lewis is an Education Consultant and Project Manager by profession, and has worked with the Ministry of Education (Guyana) to action positive change and development across the three key levels (Nursery, Primary, and Secondary).
In various previous education leadership capacities, she has worked to build collaborative working relationships with education stakeholders nationally and regionally.  In her work in Early Childhood Development (ECD) she has built critical linkages with other governmental and non-governmental ECD stakeholders in Guyana, as well as the regional CARICOM ECD working group. She also liaises with key stakeholders within the Ministry of Education both centrally and regionally to inform decisions about the execution of Education initiatives nationwide.

Mrs. Walrond- Lewis holds a Hons. BSc, Psychology and a Masters of Arts in Child Study and Education from the University of Toronto. She has successfully worked with learners from Pre-Kindergarten to University levels.

Regarding the current director of Mrs. Jennifer Cumberbatch, the ministry said she will be shifting into the position of a Quality Assurance Consultant.