FIVE teachers who will be graduating from the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) have decided that they want to be placed at the Kato Secondary School, Region Eight to begin their teaching career.

The school will be commissioned and officially opened for the new school year.
The five friends, all English majors, call themselves OKERA, (using the first letters of their first name) are Onicia Fredericks, Kieana Greene, Eion Adams, Rebbie Singh and Astrid English.

The teachers met with the Chief Education Officer (CEO), Marcel Hutson; Assistant Chief Education Officer (Secondary), June-Ann Gonsalves; and CEO’s Technical Assistant, Francesca Vieira on Wednesday at the Ministry of Education’s 26 Brickdam office. The senior officers were impressed with the decision of the five teachers.

According to Vieira, the selfless idea by the teachers to begin their career in Kato was birthed at a CPCE enrichment week activity where students were exposed to an orientation exercise and informed about experiences that they may have during their teaching career and the opportunities that are available through the profession.

According to the five teachers, the idea to travel to Kato was presented by Fredericks and they all agreed.

Vieira advised the teachers that since they are going into a new environment they should use the manuals that are available to seek guidance so as to address the various issues that may arise.

CEO Hutson applauded the students for their willingness to leave the comfort of their homes to travel to the interior location to educate the nation’s children.
He said they should be commended since within their own deliberations they recognised the need for trained teachers at the soon to be opened school.

He said their decision aligns with the mission of the Education Ministry to reduce the disparity in the education sector between the coastal and hinterland communities.
According to Fredericks, her justification for the move is that she believes that the skills and knowledge of herself and peers can have a greater impact in the interior location since children on the coastland have access to more in terms of the quality of education that is delivered.

This selfless spirit by the five teachers was commended by ACEO Gonsalves who informed the teachers that they will be housed in the teachers living quarters that are built on the school grounds.

She assured the teachers that they will be supported in every way possible by the Ministry of Education during their transition period and thereafter. (DPI)