SPBS, December 7th, 2016 -- SPBS continues its long tradition of recognizing citizens for their outstanding leadership and sustained contributions. It is in this spirit that we recognize Mr. Calvin Farier. It is fitting as we celebrate 50 years of CEMSS/SPHS that we recognize one of the teachers who was there at the beginning. He started his teaching career in 1955 as a 15-year old at the Sandy Point Boys/ Senior School under the leadership of Mr. Analdo Richards.
He later was successful at the Annual Pupil Teachers’ exams and London ‘O’ and ‘A’ level exams. Mr. Farier was instrumental in gaining the support of the Authorities to allow non-Secondary students to register and write the Cambridge ‘O’ level exams. He taught these students under the leadership of headmaster Edward Griffin.
He also played a major role in convincing the authorities that the cane field known as “hallaire” (that was at the back of the Catholic Church and adjacent to the recreation ground) was suitable for the construction of the Sandy Point High School. He subsequently taught at the same school before travelling to Mona, Jamaica in 1967 to pursue a bachelor’s Degree in Economics.
In 1970 he returned home and was placed at the Basseterre Junior High School where he was soon elected as the President of the Teachers Association. During his tenure as President, the Teachers association became an integral part of the Civil Service Association, and hosted the first Caribbean Union of Teachers Meeting in St. Kitts. The group thus gained membership of the World Conference of Organization of the Teaching Profession (WCOTP) enabling his attendance to their first conference in Jamaica.
Mr. Farier was Principal at the Convent High School as well as the Basseterre Junior High School and had the task of merging the two sections – East Park Range and Burdon Street together in one location that is now called the “Washington Archibald High School”. He later played a prominent role in promoting the concept of “Comprehensive Education”.
In 1980, Mr. Farier was appointed as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and had the opportunity to be actively involved in several projects including construction of St. Paul’s Primary School, Rehabilitation of the Newton Ground Primary School, the establishment of the tertiary College of Further Education, now the CFB College, as well as the Self and School meals programs.
Under his leadership, a community group known as the “Sandy Point Community Self Help Group” organized Evening Classes to help school drop-outs and they were successful in getting quite a few young persons placed in fairly good jobs.
Between the years 1980-1995, Mr. Farier distinguished himself as Permanent Secretary to the Premier / Prime Minister, Permanent Secretary Home and Foreign Affairs and Cabinet Secretary. During this time, he also took the initiative to contact the owners and began negotiation for the lands to construct the Sandy Point Primary School and Day Care center.
Sandy Point Benevolent Society would like to thank all our sponsors of our Banquet, but would like to make special mention of our Gold Sponsors: National Caribbean Insurance, Brimstone Hill Fortress and the Api-Harowe Servo Company.
*************************
DISCLAIMER
This article was posted in its entirety as received by SKNVibes.com. This media house does not correct any spelling or grammatical error within press releases and commentaries. The views expressed therein are not necessarily those of SKNVibes.com, its sponsors or advertisers
