CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – STAKEHOLDERS, including government, civil society organisations, parents and the private sector, should assist in restoring teaching to its glory days.
This sentiment was expressed by General Manager of the Bank of Nevis L. Everette Martin while delivering the feature address at the Nevis Teachers’ Union Solidarity March and Rally yesterday (Oct. 5) at the Villa Grounds.
According to Martin, at a time when the community continues to lose many of its children to gangs and a life of crime, “we must all work collectively to provide the critical support needed by teachers.
“At a time when the battle for minds and ideas is most intense, teachers are like soldiers waging the war against the negative influences on our children. Teachers must be seen as role models who provide intellectual and spiritual stimulus and therefore deserve our support. As we celebrate World Teachers’ Day, we must be awakened to the need to give teachers their rightful place in society among the lawyers, doctors and other professions.”
Martin said that while there is not a significant shortage of teachers in Nevis, moves must be made to continue to recruit teachers to sustain quality education. He said: “We must recruit some of our bright students leaving the Sixth Form College to ensure that we continue to maintain the high level of education for which Nevis is known.”
The General Manager pointed out however that young people could not be recruited into the profession unless a review is conducted on teachers’ working conditions, compensation package and the importance of teaching.
While urging parents to instil respect in their children for teachers, Martin also encourage teachers to continue striving for excellence.
“We must return to the days when teachers taught with passion due to their genuine desire to shape the lives of our young people. Teaching must be seen as a noble profession providing a lifetime career path.”
He also said teachers should support the teachers union so that they could actively contribute to the formulation of education policies and programmes. He explained that it is through the support for the Nevis Teachers Union that teachers would be empowered.
Martin also had some advice for the government, calling on it to expand its investment in teachers through continuing education programmes and certification to ensure quality education is maintained on Nevis.
“As a young teacher, I was fortunate to benefit from the annual OCOD courses hosted by the Canadians. There is perhaps no need now to turn to external sources to provide these courses as we have a number of retired teachers who are capable of providing similar training. I urge the Ministry of Education to utilise the services of our retired teachers, as many of them still have much to contribute.”
Martin also recommended that there be continued support for teachers who are interested in pursuing tertiary education through the reimbursement of a percentage of the cost for those who undertake distance study.
“We should continue to provide economic cost for those who are desirous of studying at the University of the West Indies, and part salary payments for those who study at UWI and other universities.”
The BON General Manager did not leave out the private sector, noting it must continue to support government to ensure that children leaving school have the requisite skills to operate in private enterprises.
“We must continue to provide scholarships that assist the parents with books and uniforms. We must donate to the schools to ensure that the children learn in a comfortable environment.”
