Nevis teachers treated to special luncheon, but Omar’s impact delays incentives
By Pauline Waruguru
Nevis Reporter-SKNVibes.com
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| The Premier of Nevis, Joseph Parry, in discussion with teachers |
CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – NEVIS’ Premier the Hon. Joseph Parry told some 300 teachers on the island that due to the devastating effects of Hurricane Omar, the incentive package they were promised would not be implemented this year.
The Premier made the announcement last Friday when teachers on Nevis had gathered at the Occasions to mark the 24th Annual Professional Day, but promised that it would be implemented next year.
The Professional Day was held under the theme “Teachers Matter” and the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) treated the teachers to a well-deserved luncheon.
Parry told the teachers that the NIA would naturally suffer cash shortage due to the temporary closure of the Four Seasons Resort, which he said would not be in a position to remit any taxes until it is reopened.
Premier Parry said the establishment of a private sector-sponsored education fund is being discussed because the NIA believes education matters. He stated that teaching is a noble career and “we’ll ensure that education continues”.
He said Susan Nisbett, who was the 2008 Honouree, deserved the recognition for her outstanding contribution to the welfare of education on the island.
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| Tourism Permanent Secretary Tyrone O'Flaherty |
The feature address was delivered by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Tyrone O’Flaherty, who said one of the major ways to show appreciation to teachers is to raise their salaries. He said he was convinced that higher salaries would keep male teachers in the profession, whom he claimed were running to the lucrative construction industry.
O’Flaherty hailed the teachers for enabling the island’s youth to fulfil their dreams. He said a cross-section of prominent Nevisians have been teachers, and asked the audience, “What would we be without teachers?”
He said teachers are the guardians of principles and values and pointed out that in the past teachers served as surrogate parents. He also noted that the essence of civilisation greatly depends on teachers.
Representatives of the Teachers Union, who were present at the event, called on the teachers to form a united front by joining the union, as this would enable them to stand up for what they believe and to push for their rights.
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| Teachers mark the 24th Annual Professional Day |
Chief Education Officer Jennifer Hodge, during her address, reminded of the past when teachers were respected and wondered whether that era would ever come back. Premier Parry however noted that it depended on the society as a whole to bring back the waning respect through what he called “concerted will”, and called on teachers to demand respect and to respect themselves.
He also called on teachers to create conducive environments that would enable them to mold students into wholesome individuals. He further called on the teachers to be tolerant of each other, noting “you should be able to have different opinions”. He said tolerance meant agreeing to disagree, being able to criticise and yet respect each other.
The Premier said every country looks to its women to set the pace for good values and high standards: “When a little girl walks downtown and allows a man to hold her hand, he is disrespecting her. When children misbehave, they are practicing disrespect.”
Parry told the teachers to ensure core values were observed by students, they should not teach in dirty classrooms and must insist on them being kept tidy.
In the question and answer session, teachers of the Charlestown Secondary School said they were promised that a staff room would have been constructed during summer 2008, but this had not yet been done. The Premier however said the NIA was committed to building a spacious staffroom for the CSS teachers. ~~Adz:Right~~
A cross-section of teachers complained that the classrooms were overpopulated and requested that teachers’ aides be deployed. They said some classes have 47 students and added that there is need for a third public secondary school. The teachers also requested that a school farm be established.
It was proposed that for future Professional Teachers Days, members of the event’s committee should consider workshop settings where teachers and policy makers could discuss thorny and professional issues. The teachers also recommended a two-day professional retreat.
Another important issue raised was that of children from neighbouring islands “bursting” the classrooms. It was noted that some islands had limited the number of foreign students who could be enrolled in their schools.
Premier Parry however assured the teachers that the issue of overpopulated classrooms would be looked into.
