By Kevon Browne
St Kitts and Nevis (WINN): Education Ministers on St Kitts and Nevis are praising the efforts of teachers who are committed to their students and have found ways to enhance learning despite the difficulties posed by COVID-19.
In messages to mark World Teachers Day October 5, being celebrated under the theme ” Teachers: Leading in Crisis, Reimagining the Future, Minister of Education Jonel Powell and Minister of Education in the Nevis Island Administration Troy Liburd struck similar notes with words of encouragement.
“Like nurses and doctors, teachers have joined the front line in helping to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Teachers have now become experts in reading body temperatures, screening students for persistent coughs and sneezes, enforcing the wearing of mass washing of hands, and …proper hygiene. This, again, is another great example of teachers leading in crisis as never before were teachers called upon to discharge such responsibilities, ” said Powell in a message to mark World Teachers Day.
Mr. Liburd said: “As the Junior Minister with responsibility for Education, it is an honor for me to take this opportunity to highlight and applaud teachers throughout the world, but specifically the teachers on Nevis for their continued investment toward developing and shaping our nation.”
Mr. Powell said an award ceremony to celebrate the accomplishment of teachers would be held before year-end.
“I’m quite aware that teachers have grown accustomed to being celebrated at a ceremony where teachers who attained milestone years in this profession are recognized. I’m also aware that on world teacher’s day, teachers who retired from active duty would also be honored for their service to the fraternity and to the nation. The Ministry of Education salutes both categories of honorees and gives the reassurance that this ceremony will take place in some form before the end of 2020, ” he said.
Liburd highlighted ways teachers, committed to their profession found ways to provide instruction during the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
He teachers created videos and used the parents’ WhatsApp chats to reach their students and some made it their priority to deliver packages to their students when it was safe to do so.
“There are teachers who created websites and YouTube channels to continue their mandate to serve students. And in his address he gave kudos to all teachers who went above and beyond to reach our students during the lockdown, “Liburd added.
The Nevis Teacher’s Union is celebrating its teachers in various ways. Tricia Williams, President of the Nevis Teacher’s Union told WINN tokens were given to teachers to mark the occasion.
“We went around and we gave the members of the Nevis Teacher’s Union tokens for World Teachers’ day… and also later this evening… I gave a speech, a presidential address and so that will be shared on NTV.
Williams also said that teachers were encouraged to participate in a “dress- to -impress” competition online during this week.
Participating teachers are expected to pictures of their outfits on Facebook and the winner will be determined by the post with the most likes and announced on Friday (October 9).
The Nevis Teachers Union is also participating in a roundtable discussion as a part of the Education International 24 hour World Teachers’ Day livestream.
WINN was unable to get a comment from the St. Kitts Teacher’s Union.
