Federation celebrates Teachers Week
By Melissa Bryant
Reporter-SKNVibes.com
~~Adz:Right~~ BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – SATURDAY (Oct. 4) marked the beginning of a week-long programme of activities in recognition of this year’s Teacher Week and is aimed at highlighting the value of teachers in St. Kitts and Nevis.
The theme for this year’s week of events is “Teachers Matter” and the activities kicked off on St. Kitts with Church Services at the Zion Adventist Church in Sandy Point on Saturday and the Antioch Baptist Church in St. Johnston’s Village on Sunday.
Today, (Oct. 6) the executive body of the Teachers Union will be visiting three of their retired colleagues to bestow tokens of appreciation for their long and dedicated service to the Federation. The recipients are Leroy Pemberton Sr. of Cayon, Teresa Richardson of Bird Rock and Angeline Revan of Sandy Point.
Teacher Appreciation Days are scheduled for tomorrow and Wednesday, where students are encouraged to show appreciation for their teachers in a variety of ways. Tags denoting the event will be available for purchase in all schools.
A panel discussion, centred on the theme, is slated for Wednesday evening on the popular WINN FM programme “The Chat Room”. The panellists are Carlene Henry-Morton, General Secretary of the Teachers Union; Clifford Pemberton, a Guidance Counsellor at Cayon High; Steve LaPlace, President of the PTA at Sandy Point Primary; and Naeemah Hazelle, a Guidance Counsellor at Washington Archibald High.
The week of activities will conclude on Friday, October 10, which is designated World Teacher’s Day, and teachers will be joined by students and PTA members in a march through Basseterre, beginning at the Basseterre High School at 9:00 a.m. and ending with a Rally at Independence Square.
The Hon. Sam Condor, Minister of Education, and Clyde Christopher, President of the Teachers Union are scheduled to deliver brief remarks at the Rally, which will include modelling, poetry and song performances.
Christopher Explaining the rationale behind the choice of ‘Teachers Matter’, Christopher said, “With this theme we are trying to highlight the relevancy of teachers not just in the classroom, but in the overall community as well.”
“An education system,” he added, “is of no value if you don’t value the people who are empowered to deliver”.
On November 1 there will be an awards ceremony in which 25 teachers will be honoured for their service. Asked about the significance of that number [25], Christopher explained that choosing 25 was [the Teachers Union’s way] of contributing to the Silver Jubilee Independence celebrations.
