ROADTOWN Tortola BVI, April 19th, 2012 – Teachers across the Territory’s public primary and secondary schools were able to speak directly with the Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn when they met earlier this week to facilitate discussions on the way forward for the Territory’s education system.
In his remarks to teachers the Education Minister said, “Together our work moulds the minds, talents and bodies of young people throughout the Virgin Islands. What we do today determines the ability of our Territory to generate healthy, intelligent and globally competitive young people.”
He continued, “You, our teachers, are the shapers of our future. So today, I come to share a simple message with you and that is, “What you do Matters.”
The Acting Chief Education Officer Ms. Beverlie Brathwaite, chaired the meeting held at the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall on April 17 and instructed teachers to be frank, honest and respectful as they shared their views.
Mr. Paul Myers a Woodwork teacher at the Elmore Stoutt High School highlighted, loitering, respect for authority, graffiti, littering, unauthorised access to the campus and bullying as some major challenges faced at the school. He spoke of teachers having to identify and deal with behavioural problems in students verses their ability to learn and students not being responsible and submitting assignments on time as a concern.
Ms. Nerissa Stevens spoke on behalf of the primary school teachers and revealed that teachers need to receive their schemes from the Department of Education in a timely manner so that they are better prepared in the classroom. She highlighted that the reading programme needs improvement and should be tested throughout all schools to ensure that it is adequate and functioning well.
The role of the guidance counsellor was questioned as it relates to structured class times verses a referral only process and extending the hours of the National Curriculum Resource Centre to allow teachers use of that centre after school hours was raised.
Grade six was identified as having a heavy workload which frustrates students and she suggested that the upper grade teachers share that load and disseminate tasks from grade five.
Additionally, she highlighted that the security of teachers in addition to that of the students needs to be addressed and better maintenance is needed for photocopiers, computers and the internet system.
Once the floor was opened, the Performance Evaluation Agreement, grace time for teachers, the recreational space for physical education teachers along with a myriad of other concerns and issues were raised.
Minister Walwyn assured the teachers that while all their concerns cannot be immediately fixed, they will not fall on deaf ears and will be prioritised and addressed. Ag. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Culture Dr. Marcia Potter also attended the session.
The Ministry of Education and Culture under its new Motto, “Creating a Culture of Excellence” strives to enhance the academic environment for teachers and students as it prepares the latter for global opportunities.
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