THE Teaching Service Commission (TSC) in an effort to improve the delivery of education, continues its drive to visit and interact with teachers around the country.Recently a team comprising Chairperson Leila Ramson, Commissioners Conrad Kendall, Maydha Persaud, Systems Analyst Ray Baisoo, and two clerks visited Region 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam) and met with about 500 teachers in two clusters at the Cotton Field Secondary and Abram Zuil Secondary Schools.

The principal objectives of the visit were to foster a closer working relationship with all stakeholders, inform teachers about policies and guidelines of the TSC, as well as to listen and respond to teachers’ concerns and suggestions. The team also collected personnel data on teachers to update the data base at the TSC.

Commissioner Persaud, who has the responsibility for Region 2, exhorted teachers to give their best and reminded them of the role of education in national development. He then dealt in-depth with such issues as staffing, time-tabling, leave-taking, attendance and punctuality, preparedness, students’ work, records, appointments, unauthorised absence, resignation, retirement, and upgrading of status. He urged teachers to work as a team, to read diligently and to do research since education is not static.

ROLE MODELS
Meanwhile, Commissioner Kendall highlighted disciplinary matters and the consequences of infractions. He emphasized that improper conduct, neglect of duty, inefficiency, conduct unbecoming of a teacher and criminal matters would require court proceedings. Moreover, he encouraged the teachers to see themselves as role models and to remember teaching is a twenty-four-hour job.

Ramson, who in her inimitable matronly manner, implored teachers to uphold the nobility of this blessed profession and at all times to give their love and affection to the children under their charge.

She also called on the teachers to create child-friendly classrooms and to motivate students so that learning becomes a fascinating challenge. Teachers were reminded of the need to give home-assignments and to mark and give feedback to students.

She too made a clarion call for teachers to read, speak standard English and to have self-respect and respect for their colleagues and those in authority.

TRAINING
Moreover, young teachers were told that they need to seek training since, in the not-too-distant future, only trained teachers would be in the system. She also pointed out to the large gathering that senior promotions are done aboveboard. In closing, she thanked them for choosing teaching as a profession and reminded them that “He who opens the school door, closes the prison gate.”

The visit was considered a tremendous success and the team was very grateful for the hospitality and help from Regional Education Officer Baramdai Seepersaud and her staff.