S.K.T.U Leads in the Establishment of the National Teaching Council

SKTU’s President Ron Dublin-Collins

BASSETERRE St. Kitts, October 14th, 2012—– The St. Kitts Teachers’ Union continues to celebrate this year’s World Teachers’ Month under the theme “Take A Stand For Teachers!” On Friday 12th October approximately sixty individuals representing the St. Kitts Teachers’ Union, Nevis Teachers’ Union, the Corporate Community, the Clergy, St. Kitts Youth Parliament, Students’ Councils, The Ministry of Education and Parents’ Associations participated in a one day Education Conference on the establishment of the National Teaching Council. Under the guidance of Dr. Morella Joseph, Program Manager for Human Resource Development within CARICOM and Dr. Winsome Gordon, Executive Director of Jamaica Teaching Council, the participants were engaged in working sessions geared towards developing the Scope and outreach of the council, management and governance disciplinary processes, teacher assessment and tenure as well as enabling legislation of the projected National Teaching Council.

As stated in the Guidelines for Establishing Teaching Councils in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Teaching Council is an “autonomous professional and administrative body under the support of the Ministry of Education. It is established to effect and maintain high standards in the teaching profession, through rationalization, streaming and ensuring coherence in the various aspects of teacher management.”

In her presentation, Dr. Joseph opined that “the numerous teaching related challenges that St. Kitts-Nevis is facing is not unique to your federation or to the Caribbean but the challenges are ongoing throughout the entire world. Many countries throughout the world: Scotland, Wales, Ireland and Australia etc. have already established their councils and they have proven successful in improving the teaching profession and ultimately their education systems. The Caribbean islands must come on board now if we are to improve the teaching profession dramatically! We are in dire need of the establishment of national teaching councils such that we can begin to effectively address the needs of the teaching profession and maintain standards of effectiveness and efficiency.”

Dr. Morella Joseph	Dr. Winsome Gordon

According to Dr. Gordon, “Jamaica is leading the Caribbean in the establishment of a National Teaching Council as theirs has already been established but is currently acting as a pilot project. The establishment of a national teaching council promises to elevate the teaching profession, enhance quality education outcomes, promote harmony with regional practice, promote standards in teacher education and teaching, introduce licensing of teachers, increase bargaining and negotiating opportunities, create more opportunities for training and development of teachers as well as many other things.”

President of the S.K.T.U Ron Dublin-Collins stated that the union is poised and ready to continue to lead in this effort and promises to work speedily and smartly to ensure the establishment of the National Teaching Council. “The S.K.T.U in collaboration with all stakeholders is now charged with the responsibility to develop a possible framework for the establishment of the National Teaching Council. The public can certainly look forward to the upcoming consultative process via town hall meetings, radio shows and panel discussions etc. where the public will be allowed opportunities to weigh in on the importance, management, governance and scope of the Council.

Remaining S.K.T.U events for World Teachers’ Month:

Tuesday 16th – Zonal Visits to Retired Teachers

Wednesday 24th – S.K.T.U Gender Committee & Essence of Hope: Health Forum on Breast Cancer Prevention & Treatment at Old Girls’ School 7 p.m.

Friday 26th – ‘I Love Pink Day’ Launching of Cancer Awareness & Support Project “Myrna Project” at Cayon High School 8:30 a.m.

Saturday 27th – Health Walk for Breast Cancer Campaign 6 a.m. Caribbean Cinema’s Parking Lot to 2nd Round About in Frigate Bay

Tuesday 30th – Excellence in Teaching Awards (E.T.A) Service at Wesley Methodist Church, Seaton Str. Basseterre 7 p.m.

Wednesday 31st – Friday 2nd November – Leadership Training Workshop (Facilitated by Education International)