Basseterre, St. Kitts (February 11, 2015) — The Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis has made a monetary contribution in support of a library for the recently introduced Post-Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education Programme, by the Division of Teacher Education at the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College (CFBC).
“The Post-Graduate Course is offered to teachers who do not have Teacher Training and will be done in collaboration with the University of the West Indies, School of Education, Cave Hill Campus,” explained CFBC’s Director of Institutional Development, Mr Hugh Heyliger. “Certification would be granted upon completion of this course.”
According to Mr Heyliger, the primary objective of the programme is to assist the Ministry of Education in ensuring that teachers in the country are adequately prepared to function in the classrooms, with the pedagogical and methodological skills required to ensure successful learning outcomes in the schools.
Writing to the Acting General Manager of the Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis, Mr Carlton Pogson, CFBC’s Director of Institutional Development observed that they were in need of resources, particularly library resources (text) that would ensure their students are equipped to complete the course successfully.
Development Bank’s Manager for Human Resources, Marketing and Product Development Ms Danienne Brin journeyed to the CFBC early this month where she met with among others, President of the College, Dr Kelvin Daley; Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Mrs Delores Stapleton-Harris; Vice President for Finance and Administration, Mrs Jackie Williams; and Dean Teacher Division, Mrs Joycelyn Pennyfeather.
“We at Development Bank have always held education in high esteem, as you know we are one of the leading banks that offer students loans to persons in St. Kitts and Nevis,” said Ms Brin. Also present were members of the Faculty and students in the Post-Graduate Teacher Education programme.
On presenting the cheque to Vice President for Finance and Administration, Mrs Jackie Williams, Ms Brin noted: “We are appreciative of all the lecturers, and the students. We are going to put St. Kitts on the map as we already have, and we will continue to support CFBC and the entire education sector in St. Kitts and Nevis.”
CFBC President Dr Kelvin Daley, while giving remarks, observed that due to funding shortfalls that the College faces every year, students are being forced to pay tuition which left little option but for the College to seek financing elsewhere in support of the programme.
“I think the investment that the Development Bank is making in your education is to make you all better understand that there are persons who are interested in making you empowered,” said Dr Daley. “We are very grateful for that opportunity to share in the giving of our Development Bank.
“I am hoping that this will change teacher education in that you will use information that will be provided through these books. Use it (library) as your premier source of information for your research papers, and assignments.”
In thanking the Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis, Mrs Joycelyn Pennyfeather, Dean Teacher Division, told her colleagues, and students, that the Bank has always been there for educational purposes, noting that all the schools that she has headed would have benefitted from the Bank.
“Our coffers are filling up and to Development Bank I must say we are grateful because you are always there to help us in our quest to build capacity for our students,” said Mrs Pennyfeather. “You are always there to assist us with nation building and so thank you once again.”