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President of the NTU receiving his certificate from former principal, Rosalie Andre. |
Charlestown Nevis (October 6, 2004) While the Parents Teachers Associations and students of the various schools on the island on Tuesday 5, paid tribute to the teachers in commemoration of World Teachers’ Day 2004, the Nevis Teachers Union celebrated 15 years since its inception with a gala awards and presentation ceremony.
The ceremony, which was held at the Old Manor Hotel in Gingerland, saw the NTU paying tribute to its founding father, the late James Jimmy Neale and teachers both past and present for their hard work and dedication to the Nevis Teachers Union.
Speaking at the ceremony, Premier of Nevis, the Hon Vance Amory not only congratulated the awardees but also expressed his pleasure to be a part of the celebrations. He noted that the level of cooperation, which the ministry of education had been receiving from the teachers union, gave him great hope and wished that the collaboration and cooperation be continued for the best benefit of the members of the union.
“We in the government do not have all of the answers,” said the Education Minister. “It is to professionals that we look for the answers to the problems which face us in education. But what we have done over the years, is to seek to find ways through adjusting and responding to the situations as they arise, to ensure that education receives the type of focus which is necessary for the quality delivery of education to be maximised in this country.”
Premier Amory pointed out that in response to certain situations, the government had reorganized the Ministry of Education and the Department of Education, and added, “If any organisation fails to adjust to the changing times, that organisation is doomed to death.”
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Mr. Wilroy Gerald, longest serving treasurer of NTU since its inception receiving his award from former principal Rosalie Andre. |
The Nevis Teachers Union was inaugurated in 1989 with the late James Neale as its first president, who served until his death in 1993. It has progressed over the years and has grown in membership from 40 to 120. The union is expected to break grounds for its new headquarters at a location in Prospect in the near future.
Mrs. Rosalie Andre, retired principal, who chose the theme ‘Bloom Where You Are’ delivered the keynote address, while President of the Nevis Teachers Union, Mr. Wakely Daniel, delivered the welcome remarks. An entertainment package followed with the distribution of certificates to members of the past and present executive body of the union and awards to seven members who served for more than 10 yrs.
Mr. Laurence Richards, past president of the union delivered the tribute of the late Mr. James Neale to his widow and daughter who attended the function. He noted that Mr. Neale saw that the image of the teaching profession needed a face-lift and that the required face-lift was the one that the teachers had to create for themselves.
