– Ed Caesar tells Region Three Award ceremony
FORMER Chief Education Officer (CEO), Mr. Ed Caesar, last Friday, said that quality performance by pupils, students and teachers must become a habit, an addiction and a norm and ultimately contagious if education is to breed success in today’s world. Mr. Caesar made these remarks during his feature address at the Annual Regional Awards Ceremony hosted by the Region Three (Essequibo Islands/ West Demerara) Department of Education at the Aracari Resort, Versailles, West Bank Demerara.
The ceremony was held under the theme “Promoting excellence in education” and in attendance were Regional Chairman Julius Faerber, Deputy Chief Education Officer (Ag), Ms. Donna Chapman, regional officials, headteachers, teachers, pupils and students.
Referring to the theme, Caesar posited that excellence is a moving target which is achievable. He told the awardees that their achievements were commendable but they should go after higher achievements.
“This (award ceremony) must be the stepping stone for higher achievements…you have the potential and government is providing the resources for you to acquire the necessary skills so that you can succeed”, Caesar outlined.
The former CEO noted that government alone cannot do it and insisted that all stakeholders play their part. He told the audience that community alliance is a sure way to alleviate some of the problems which occur in the school system as a result of lack of confidence in some teachers.
Caesar called on the headteachers to adopt measure which can build community confidence. He noted that curriculum delivery in the school is the prerequisite for development.
He said that there are teachers who do not prepare notes of lessons and wondered how a teacher can effectively teach without first doing what is basically required.
“Preparation is the key…you (teachers) have to be role models…you have to show respect for those children who you teach…lateness, absenteeism and mode of dress are key areas which must be addressed. You have to teach our children how to learn and how to study. You have to do continuous assessments of the strengths and weakness of each child. If you failed to do these basic things then you are failing our children and excellence will elude us”, Caesar remarked.
In concluding, Caesar congratulated the Department of Education starting that recognition and praise for the efforts our children make would enable them to greater heights.
Meanwhile Regional Chairman, Julius Faerber, in his opening remarks noted that it was an appropriate gesture to recognise the outstanding performance of pupils, students and teachers. He said that government’s investment in education are testimonies of its great concerns for national development and noted that government’s policy on education is one that emphasises the right to quality education.
The award ceremony saw the honouring of top performers at various examinations: National Grades Two, Four, Six, and Nine Assessment, CSEC, SCC and long-serving and retired teachers.