Career Requirements

In Guyana, there are certain academic criteria for the appointment of teachers to a particular Teacher status. These statuses are attained through gaining the required qualifications, or through certain upgrading programmes offered. The required Academic Criteria for the Appointment of Teachers are as follows:


Teacher Aide

Employed in the Hinterland areas where difficulties exist in relation to the recruitment of suitably qualified persons. Persons with SSPE (Parts I & II), or College of Preceptors Certificate or Pass at the Preliminary Certificate Examinations (General) - but no lower than 17 years of age.

Pupil Teacher

The minimum age for appointment of pupil teachers will be fifteen (15) years to accommodate persons with exceptional ability. An interview may be necessary to satisfy other conditions for appointment. In Remote Areas persons with SSEE (Parts I & II) may be appointed under special circumstances, provided that they successfully write a test in English to be set by the Examination Board.

Acting Teacher

Employed in the Hinterland areas where difficulties exist in relation to the recruitment of suitably qualified persons. Persons with any of the following qualifications could be appointed as Acting Teachers:

  1. Three (3) GCE 'O' Level or three (3) CXC subjects, Grades I–III (Grades I–IV from June 1998) at General Proficiency or Grade I at Basic Level.
  2. In exceptional circumstances, two (2) subjects including English may be accepted.
  3. Five (5) CXC subjects without English. Such persons may be employed as Acting Teachers until they pass a test in English set by the Examination Board.

Temporary Unqualified Master/Mistress

Persons with any of the following qualifications should be appointed as Temporary Unqualified Master/Mistress:

  1. End of Third Year P.T. Examination
  2. End of Fourth Year P.T. Examination
  3. Teacher's Intermediate Examination
  4. GCE 'O' Level/CXC - Four (4) subjects at one sitting (including English) or five (5) subjects at two sittings (including English)
  5. English at CXC/GCE 'O' Level plus 80 wpm Typing
  6. Craft Certificate Part I at the GTEE
  7. Guyana Sugar Corporation four-year Craft Apprenticeship Certificate
  8. Electrical Installation Practice Certificate (Ministry of Education/GTEE)
  9. Two-year Craft Training Course Ministry of Education

Temporary Qualified Master/Mistress Class III

Persons with any of the following qualifications should be appointed as Temporary Qualified Class III Teacher:

  1. Certificate in Agriculture - GSA
  2. Hinterland Development - Grade C
  3. Advanced Craft Certificate (CXC or GTEE)
  4. Diploma in Business (GTI, NATI)
  5. Diploma in Secretariat Science (GTI, NATI)
  6. Diploma in Ordinary Science (GTI, NATI)
  7. Five (5) CXC/GCE 'O' Level passes including English and Maths (1 sitting) or six (6) passes including English and Maths (2 sittings)
  8. Four (4) passes including English & Maths at one (1) sitting plus one (1) A-Level
  9. Critchlow Labour College one year course
  10. Electrical Installation Practice Certificate Part II (GTI, NATI)
  11. Technical Certificate in Architectural Drawing (GTI, NATI)
  12. Diploma in Commerce (GTI, NATI)

Temporary Qualified Master/Mistress Class II

Persons with any of the following qualifications should be appointed as Temporary Qualified Class II Teacher:

  1. Diploma in Agriculture (GSA)
  2. Hinterland Development Programme - Grade B
  3. Two (2) GCE 'A' Level subjects at one sitting
  4. Advanced Craft Certificate (CXC/GTEE) plus three (3) years relevant experience

Temporary Qualified Master/Mistress Class I

Persons with any of the following qualifications should be appointed as Temporary Qualified Class I Teacher:

  1. Three (3) GCE 'A' Level subjects at one sitting
  2. Technician's Certificate (GTEE or City & Guilds) Part I
  3. General Technical Diploma (University of Guyana)
  4. Ordinary Technical Diploma (University of Guyana)
  5. Trained Class I Grade I
  6. Hinterland Development Programme - Grade A

Trained Status

Persons with any of the following qualifications should be appointed as a Trained Teacher (Assistant Master/Mistress):

  1. Trained Class I Grade I Certificate
  2. Certificate of Education - University of Guyana (non-trained teacher track)
  3. Diploma in Education - University of Guyana (for untrained graduates)

Graduate Status

Persons who possess any of the following qualifications should be appointed with Graduate Status:

  1. Full Technological Certificate from the University of Guyana
  2. Higher Technical Diploma or Diploma in Technology from the University of Guyana
  3. Technician's Certificate, Parts II & III from GTI, NATI
  4. Burrowes School of Arts - four (4) year Diploma course