B.V.I Wednesday, May 20 - The Ministry of Education and Culture through the office of the National Curriculum Redesign Project (NCRP) today opened a learning and resource centre to serve teachers in the Territory.

The learning and resource centre which has been in the works for a few months formally opened today with a number or teachers, principals, former educators and government officials in attendance.

Speaking at the opening of the ceremony Minister for Education and Culture Hon. Andrew Fahie said that the centre will serve teachers in the Territory well as he believes that as a former teacher there is a greater need “to reach our students in order to teach our students”. He said that as teachers are forced to move away from the “sit still as I instil” mentality a facility like the learning and resource centre will provide them with the tools to creatively and effectively teach their classes. He further underscored the exponential impact the centre can have on the Territory.

“The better resources - the better teaching, the better teaching - less problems, the less problems, - the fewer people I have to put in the juvenile detention centre at Balsum’s Ghut, the fewer people at Balsum’s Ghut - the safer our streets and the safer our streets - the happier the people will be”, he said.

The minister also relayed his conviction on the importance of celebrating the opening of the centre to his experience as a former teacher. He also lauded the accomplishment of the staff before deferring the responsibilities to cut the opening ribbon to Dr. Brian Penn whom he said was far more worthy to have the honour.

“Dr. Penn deserves this honour and we have to give Jack his jacket today. He has worked tirelessly to see this come to life and I am proud that we now have this centre.,” he said.

Also giving remarks at the ceremony, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Culture, Mrs. Sheila Brathwaite joined the minister in praising the staff. She too acknowledged the value of the centre and further emphasized the importance of taking care of the facility.

“To the users of the centre, it goes without saying that things last longer when they are handled with care. Let us be collectively responsible in making sure that we use and not misuse the resources provided,” she said. “I also caution you to be patient with the staff here and if by chance you do not see something within this resource centre that you think would be a great addition, rather than asking the office to get it for you, maybe you can get it for them. That way, we will endeavour to make this a collective effort where you can give just as much as you get from this centre.”

In his remarks, Dr. Brian Penn expressed his satisfaction that the centre would be open to help teachers develop and better develop their lesson plans. He was optimistic that the implementation of the centre and the plethora of educational information, diagrams, models and teaching material would change the way teachers address the classroom.

The learning and resource centre will be opened to educators during the working hours of the National Curriculum Redesign Project Office hours which are from 8:30 a.m. to 4: 30 a.m.

The opening of the centre is in keeping with Government and the Ministry of Education and Culture’s mandate to provide the necessary tools to equip teachers and students that can enhance the learning experience.