Roadtown, Tortola - Minister of Education and Culture Honourable Andrew Fahie offered words of encouragement to principals and teachers of the Territory’s schools prior to the start of a new school term next week.
The Minister’s comments were made this morning at the opening of the 2009 Summer Institute for educators held at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College Auditorium. The motivational speech called for interaction, specifically by the educators who were repeatedly told to fix, move, reach and teach as a means to succeed in their quest to educate.
“During this school year be positive, be innovative, be resourceful, be the best teacher that you can be. Compare your biggest challenges to challenges in education in other parts of the world. Then turn your eyes to the heaven and say thank you God because my problem is not as bad as I think it is,” the Minister admonished the educators.
He supported his statement by informing them of the more than 10,000 schools closed in the United States after they were classified as failing schools, a move which resulted in thousands of educators becoming unemployed and left to seek employment where ever they can including here in the Territory.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education Mrs. Sheila Brathwaite in her remarks told the educators that the children should be the focus. “We want our children to develop competitive spirits that will be used to improve their skills and improve their eventual work places and as a result the economy of the Virgin Islands,” she said.
Mrs. Brathwaite also encouraged them to embrace and utilize some of the initiatives introduced recently including Power School. “Power School is going to prove to be a fantastic, educational and time saving tool,” she added.
The guest speaker at the ceremony Pastor Michael Anthony, also sought to encourage the educators through a bit of humour, tough talk and a reality check. “Despite all your planning you will encounter squalls. How you choose to respond is what is important but in all your doings do not become weary in well doing,” he quoted from the Scriptures. Also on hand was student, Yohance Smith who dedicated the song “You Raised Me Up” to the educators which was appropriate given the sentiments expressed earlier.
Some of the initiatives outlined for this year are the launching of English and Mathematics curriculums in the primary division; opening of Learning Resource Centre at NCRP; after school tutorials for secondary students; incentives for teachers and the Virgin Islands Partnership Neighbourhood Programme (VIPNP).
Chief Education Officer Dr. Marcia Potter was absent with apologies from the ceremony but left her share of encouraging remarks to be relayed.
The five-day Summer Institute is being held under the theme “From Good to Great Performance: A Collaborative Effort” with several sessions aimed at networking, sharing, discussing new trends and recommitting to the goals set.
British Virgin Islands News