BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – EDUCATORS in the Federation joined the rest of the world in celebrating World Teachers Day today (Oct. 5) as part of the national Teachers’ Week.
Hundreds of the nation’s educators gathered at the Rivers of Living Water Christian Centre this morning for a workshop to mark the start of Teachers’ Week. This year’s theme, ‘Build the future; invest in teachers now’, has set the mood for teachers to receive the necessary support they need to overcome challenges in the education system.
President of the St. Kitts Teachers Union (SKTU) Clyde Christopher addressed the gathering and admonished the teachers to work harder in making their jobs more effective and efficient. He said this year’s theme recognizes the vital role that teachers play in nation building, adding that it is critical for investments to be made toward teachers.
“If we as a people, a nation and a world community really want our tomorrow to be safe and accommodating, we must spare no effort today to assist, support and strengthen our teachers. [The theme] unambiguously extols the irreplaceable role and function of teachers in society,” Christopher noted.
Unless full and proper attention is paid to teachers, the future of the Federation will be bleak, Christopher said as he repeated that teachers are responsible for nurturing today’s generations in preparation for the future.
While the SKTU official described investing in teachers as a challenge that humanity must be equipped to meet, he congratulated teachers who have continued to demonstrate their genuine commitment to the profession even when they are lacking resources. He also thanked the Ministry of Education, parents, students and the communities that the schools serve for their invaluable support.
Rev. Dr. Wycherley Gumbs and Gary Dasilva also addressed the body of educators as they refocus for the 2009-2010 school year.
World Teachers’ Day has been annually celebrated on October 5 since the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization created it in 1994. Its aim is to mobilise support for teachers and to ensure that the needs of future generations continue to be met by educators.
