Several hundred educators and government officials attended the annual education professionals’ welcome at Mary Miller Hall on Friday, 26 August.
The occasion was an opportunity for new teachers, as well as those already in the system, to come together in solidarity regarding strategies for the new school year.
During the session, Education Minister Rolston Anglin, in addition to welcoming the educators to the frontier of a new school year, talked about the strategies being employed to empower them to better equip youngsters to become productive and progressive citizens.
Mr. Anglin outlined the ministry’s four-pronged approach: leadership, student performance, preparation for the work place and early childhood care.
“Outcomes of strategies over the past 27 months, which have included technical and vocational training, the restructuring of early childhood care, as well as the introduction of a Behaviour Education Support Team, have indicated a shift to a higher standard has already begun to manifest within the system,” he said.
Focus and dedication
The minister added that exam results this year have shown that much can be achieved with focus and dedication.
“…And to think we have done this without an overabundance of finances,” said Mr. Anglin, who pointed out that it’s not necessary for educators to spend a lot of money to change their approach.
According to the Minister, years ago, government made the decision to get out of reception or early childhood care, “But we don’t want to look back. We are now listening to our educators and we know that early childhood education and care is primary in success.”
Additional goals
Other strategic aims include a focus on literacy and numeracy, new graduation requirements, a national campaign that celebrates achievement, professional standards for teachers, targets for school achievement and a national strategy to gather education data that will track individual student progress.
Ensuring students’ employability will also come under the spotlight this year with plans to expand vocational education, strengthen career advice and implement a work readiness programme called Work Keys in all high schools, according to the minister.
“Professional development is front and centre to my ministry’s goals this year. We plan to invest heavily in our teachers to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to achieve their God-given potential,” he said.
Mr. Anglin concluded with an update on the school facilities, promising much-needed additions and upgrades to the primary schools. He also said his ministry anticipates that Clifton Hunter High School will be finished by March next year.
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