St Kitts Teachers’ Union Annual Teachers’ Week 2013

Basseterre, St Kitts September 29, 2013 — Hundreds of teachers throughout the education sector in St Kitts will be in a celebrative mode this week as they observe their Annual Teachers’ Week organized by the St Kitts Teachers’ Union. Schools and other institutions of learning at all levels of the sector will take time to honor their local educators and acknowledge the crucial role teachers play in making sure every student receives a quality education. The St Kitts Teachers’ Union is an organization of educators and education workers dedicated to advancing and promoting quality education, improving teaching and learning conditions, and protecting members’ rights.

The week of activities was officially opened by the President of the Union, Ron Dublin-Collins, who gave a clarion call to teachers, in pursuit of the week’s theme, “A Call to Teachers Taking the Lead for Quality Education”. In his address, President Collins praised teachers at all levels of the sector for the role they play in the lives of learners, as well as the excellent contribution they are making to society as a whole. He told listeners that our teachers deserve their gratitude. In expounding the theme, Union President spoke of the importance of quality education and proposed the Union’s belief that it “offers hope and the promise of a better standard of living. There is no stronger foundation for lasting peace and sustainable development than a quality education provided by well trained, valued, supported and motivated teachers”. He passionately made a few references to what hinders access to quality education, “notably the absence of well organized and adequate training, inadequate infrastructure and resources andinequality and injustice”. He also called for greater support for education professionals who are committed to the learning and developmental needs of our children.

The week of activities commenced with Church services at both the Basseterre Seventh Day Adventist on Saturday 28th September and at the Bethesda Moravian Church in Cayon on Sunday 29th September. Both services were well supported by the presence of teachers and other workers in the sector. During the worship services presentations were made in song and Bible readings by teachers as well as greetings by the Union President Collins.

The Church service was followed by a brief handing over ceremony presentation of school supplies to the Children’s Ward of the Joseph N France General Hospital by Chairperson of the St Kitts Teachers’ Union Basseterre Branch, Ms Andrea Henry. Also in attendance were other Executive members and Stewards of the Union, including President Ron Collins, General Secretary Mrs Carlene Henry-Morton, Treasurer Mrs Andrea Browne and Steward Mrs Soretta Browne.

The day culminated with a luncheon, where teachers showed solidarity with their union and each other as they were treated to a sumptuous lunch at the Cayon Community Centre.

Other highlights of the week include visits to retired teachers, an Education consultation on the UNICEF’s Child Friend School Initiative, Teachers’ Appreciation Day, the Excellence In Teaching Awards Service, the Annual March and Rally and a Fun Sports Meet.