BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE Ministry of Education is currently hosting its annual Teachers’ Summer Workshop under theme ‘Addressing Pertinent Issues to Strengthen Education in Challenging Times’ The workshop commenced with an opening ceremony at the Rivers of Living Water Christian Centre.
Included among the number of Education Officials who addressed the large turnout of teachers were Patrick Welcome, Chief Education Officer, who welcomed the teachers to the workshop, General Secretary of the St. Kitts Teachers’ Union Carleen
Morton, and Hon. Nigel Carty, Minister of Minister of Education & Information, who delivered the key note address and declared the workshop open.
Minister Carty in his address highlighted the role of the annual workshops “They are important because they give us the opportunities to fraternize, they also give us the chance to share ideas among ourselves allowing us to become involved in the triangular discourse, ministry speaking to you, you speaking to the ministry and you speaking among yourselves,” he said.
“And those who have been attending for years and must wonder what the value of it is, but your value if nothing else is the opportunity for you to share the experience you have gained over the many years with those who are now getting into the profession and those who have been there a shorter time than you.”
Osmond Petty, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education informed the teachers about a school improvement plan which is being developed and which he recommended should be aligned with the policies of the schools.
The Permanent Secretary noted that included in the whitepaper was a project for the beautification of schools and informed the participants that the Dieppe Bay Primary School had already embarked on the implementation of such a project.
He said that attempts should be made to beautify all secondary schools and urged teachers to take up the challenge at their various schools.
The establishment of student councils in all schools was also encouraged by Petty who informed that the Tucker Clarke Primary recently held elections for a student council at that school.
Mr Petty said clubs such as the Teen Challenge Club at the Basseterre High School are also important and should be established in the schools.
“What about Project Help at the Sandy Point High School? Is it still happening?” Mr. Petty enquired.
Petty also said that school libraries should be opened daily and that professional sessions at the schools should be organized and convened regularly.
Many teachers at the opening ceremony were amazed when they learnt that the Irish Town Primary school has abolished the practice of ‘corporal punishment’ at that school.“They now embrace child-friendly policies,” he said.
He concluded by saying that the teachers will undergo Anger Management Training with Dr. Tricia Esdaille during the workshop.Persons attending the opening were entertained by Winston Zack Nisbett’s Student String which performed several items of folklore music.
