(EMU) – St. Kitts, October 5, 2017: Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Mr William Hodge, said that the “Ministry of Education remains committed to helping teachers to improve their competitive advantage and overall competence.”
He was at the time making a national address to teachers in St. Kitts and Nevis on Thursday, 04 on the occasion of the observance of World Teachers’ Day 2017.
In his address to teachers, the permanent secretary explained how this commitment is playing out in the schools. “It fuels all of the recent upgrades in public school facilities, all of the training initiatives for teachers and school administrators at all levels of education, and all of the personal advancement attempts that the Ministry of Education has sponsored and facilitated,” he stated.
Mr. Hodge drew examples such as the ministry’s current sponsorship of a class in CSEC Math, for teachers who do not have that subject. Additionally, Mr Hodge revealed that principals and deputies at all government primary and secondary schools will complete the UWI Open Campus Supervisory Management Course to bolster their abilities to lead and empower their respective staff.
The permanent secretary said the goal was at improving the physical and psychological contexts within which teaching and learning occur in schools.
For the first time in the history of Teachers’ Day the ministry has decided to honour teachers in the Federation by inviting them to attend an appreciation cocktail ceremony for all teachers at the government early childhood, primary and secondary schools. The event takes place on World Teachers Day (Thursday, October 5) at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort.
Commenting on the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), with which the Ministry of Education works closely by way of its interaction with the National Commission for UNESCO, Permanent Secretary Hodge stated that the organization has recognized that if there is going to be universal primary and secondary education by 2030 in all nations, then teachers have a critical role to play. “The shaping of the society and the empowering of all generations lie in the hands and skilful actions of teachers,” he added.
Teacher
Permanent Secretary Hodge called on the general public, the civic and corporate society to join in the celebration and observance of World Teachers Day by showing their love and support to teachers in tangible ways.
“Let us all reach out to these teachers during this week and find meaningful ways to make those teachers aware of our appreciation of their contribution to our lives…Let me also encourage the corporate society to also partner with the Ministry of Education to empower, support and appreciate teachers at all levels,” stated Mr. Hodge.
