Cyril Potter College of Education
The Cyril Potter College of Education is a higher education institution in Georgetown, Guyana.
History
The college was established in September 1928. It was then known as the Teachers' Training Centre (TTC). Before 1928, local teachers were trained at Mico University College in Antigua, Shortwood Teachers College in Jamaica and Rawle College in Barbados. Trainees pursued a full-time programme. In 1942, the institution was renamed Government Training College for teachers (GTC).
In 1963, in addition to the full-time programme (this was referred to as Pre-Service), a part-time programme (In-Service) was launched. The Pre-Service programme catered to students between the ages of 17 and 24, while the In-Service mode catered to those above the age of 24 together with relevant teaching experience.
Pre Service Secondary began in January 1969. It was referred to as the Multilateral Teachers' Training Programme. It was later called the College for Secondary Teachers and renamed the Lillian Dewar College of Education in honour of a woman who had given distinctive service to secondary education in Guyana.
In 1974 the College (GTC) moved to newly completed building at Turkeyen. In 1976, it was renamed the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) in honour of Robert Cyril Gladstone Potter. He was a distinguished Guyanese educator who was the first Guyanese principal of this institution.
Formal In-Service Nursery Training (NNTP) started in 1980. By 1983, all teacher-training was done at the Turkeyen campus. In September 1985, Pre-Service and In-Service Training activities were amalgamated under one administrative body — the Cyril Potter College of Education.
Notable alumni and faculty
- Marc Matthews, award-winning Guyanese writer, actor, broadcaster and producer
- Robert Cyril Gladstone Potter, Guyanese educator and composer of the Guyanese National Anthem
- Stanley Praimnath, businessman, Christian pastor, sole survivor from the impact zone of the September 11 attacks in New York City