AFTER a specially arranged inter-faith service and brunch, over 300 teachers were treated as part of the Department of Education Region Four, World Teachers Day function last week.

The function, which was held at the Multipurpose Hall of Bladen Hall Multilateral School, catered for teachers from as far as Mahaica on the East Coast of Demerara to Soesdyke on the East Bank of Demerara, a release from the Region Four Department said.

Among those who graced the event were: Regional Executive Officer (REO), Ms. Pauline Lucas, Ms. Jillian Frank representing the Ministry of the Presidency, Chairperson of the Regional Education Committee (REC), Mr. Ryan Belgrave, Representative of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) Mr. Collis Nicholson, Acting Regional Education Officer (REDO) Ms. Tiffany Favourite-Harvey and scores of head teachers and teachers. The event was held to commend and thank the teachers for what the REDO dubbed as their invaluable support and assistance in moulding the nation’s children. She declared that the teachers within her region continue to give selflessly, thus she urged them to remain committed, disciplined and steadfast to their profession.

“Today’s occasion is specially organised to thank God for you – our teachers, and to show respect and to pay reverend and gratitude to you for your selfless efforts while enriching the education system in the process,” she said. The REDO reminded the teachers that whenever they enter the classroom they are scientists, doctors, lawyers, parents, explorers, counsellors and so much more, noting that her department is fully aware of the teachers’ efforts and the many sacrifices that they make.

She said that irrespective of how or what the views some may have, she loves her teachers as they are extremely important, thus the reason for such an auspicious occasion. She stressed that she and the entire Department of Education in Region Four are extremely grateful because whenever they teach the students they react to them as their own. “You have inspired our children to pursue further and to prepare them to withstand obstacles that may confront their lives. However, it is expected that our teachers would continue to strive for perfection; as to your students, you are their hero,” REDO Harvey stressed.
GTU representative, Collis Nicholson told those gathered that to ensure that all children are prepared to learn and take their places in society. “Teachers must receive effective training and support that equip them to respond to the needs of all students, including the most marginalised.” He stressed that the shortage of teachers in the system is hampering efforts to achieve equitable, inclusive quality education for all. This, he noted is particularly in countries beset by widespread poverty and protracted crises, and in regions where the youth population is growing rapidly. “To meet the demand for new teachers, education authorities often employ individuals with little or no training or by lowering qualification requirements. Some teachers are asked to teach subjects for which they have no pedagogical training,” Nicholson argued.

The GTU senior official disclosed that it is his union’s view that the most marginalised and excluded children tend to be taught by the least experienced teachers, who may be on temporary contracts and receive no pre-service or in-service training. “Despite widespread recognition that teachers are key to achieving quality education for all, teaching is still not widely regarded as a valued profession. Its low prestige impedes efforts to recruit and retain teachers in rich and poor areas alike.” The senior Region Four GTU official declared that teachers must receive quality initial teacher education, effective induction into the profession, and have opportunities for high-quality professional development to hone their skills throughout their careers. “They must demonstrate to the public that teaching is a valued profession by providing decent salaries and improving working conditions for educators at all levels of education,” Nicholson.

Meanwhile, REO Lucas saluted all teachers in Region Four and throughout Guyana, noting that they are a very special set of people because of their unbelievable love. She confessed that she can never become a teacher as it certainly requires a lot of patience, tolerance, faith and the ability to go beyond as it relates to helping the children. She declared that if she had the power and will, she would certainly pay teachers whatever they want as a symbol that she respects their service to the country.

REO Lucas reaffirmed her commitment to lending whatever support that she and her office can provide, declaring that teachers are critically important to the holistic development of any country and as such, she remains steadfast supporter of 101 per cent.

Several teachers were recognised and honoured with the REDO declaring that the annual award ceremony slated for December 5 will see a long list of awards being issued to teachers for various categories of services. However, she honoured the youngest and oldest teachers on both the East Bank and East Coast. Copping the award for the Youngest Teacher on East Bank was St. Cuthbert’s Nursery School teacher, Ms. Colleen Henry, while the youngest for the East Coast was Beterverwagting Secondary School teacher, Ms.

Towanna Connely. The oldest teacher award for the East Bank was given to Covent Garden Secondary, Ms. Eleanor Hopkinson while Bladen Hall Multilateral’s Sir Wilburg Williams who is expected to retire at the end of this month, copped that award for the East Coast. The teachers were serenaded by performances by some of their colleagues: Ms. Pearl Freeman, Mark Luke-Edwards and Ossie Nedd. Nedd’s superb performance resulted in several teachers expressing their open appreciation for the selected oldies renditions that he performed.