With over twenty participants and with ten days of intense training, Junior Minister of Education, the Hon Mr. Livingston Herbert told them that they were about to commence training that was designed to reprogramme their minds and attitudes.
“As we launch this session to reprogramme your minds and attitudes, I invite you to explore with me, why you have to undergo reprogramming,” he said and added, “If I were to ask, how many of you possess an innate desire to teach, I wonder what would be your answer?”
He questioned the gathering as to what emotions would engulf their minds, what memories would transcend their immediate thoughts, how would they recall some of their experiences as students and how would they rate their preparedness for the world of work?
According to the Education Minister, no number of years spent in school and no number of academic achievements or athletics accomplishments can prepare them for the teaching environment.
Herbert expressed that it was his belief that the reprogramming of their minds and attitudes to teaching required active introspection. “I venture to add that this introspection would elicit what I shall refer to as ‘the tripartite mode of reprogramming’.
“One part deals with the realization of your limitations, the other deals with identifying and committing yourselves to the task and thirdly, developing a plan of action to effect the reprogramming of your minds and attitudes,” commented Herbert.
Acting Principal Education Officer, Mrs. Lornette Manners in declaring the workshop open, told the participants that during the workshop and as prospective teachers, the department would expect a number of things from them.
She said, “We’ll be looking at your punctuality, your attendance, body language, interpersonal relationships, general attitude, your willingness to learn and your willingness to be trained. You will be experiencing simple things which you would have taken for granted and which you would never have been taught, given the opportunity to study could be so exciting.”
Education officer, Ms Pandora Coverley and Course Coordinator reminded the participants of a few simple facts as she delivered brief opening remarks. She said, “Teaching has the opportunity to touch and mould lives for eternity. It is a privilege afforded a selected few. I trust that you would get a glimpse of what is expected of you should you be chosen to join this noble profession.”
She noted that the objectives of the workshop were to understand the structure and role of the education system, the interaction and rudiments of learning and teaching, to employ and develop communication skills in writing, speaking and work presentation and to get a panoramic view of some of the theories and practices in education.
The participants were drawn from the secondary schools, sixth form college, other colleges, university and persons who were previously employed.
