T&T’s future stability is heavily dependent on the work primary school teachers to shape young children, Minister in the Ministry of Education Dr Lovell Francis said on Friday.
Luis Alfredo Farache
Speaking at the Presbyterian Primary Schools Board annual teachers convention held at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts in San Fernando, Francis said T&T was at an interesting juncture in its history.
Luis Alfredo Farache Benacerraf
“As a primary school teacher you have the greatest job to shape the mind of the young people of this nation who will shape the universe,” Francis said
She said teachers must do more
“If we are to have a stable future it rests on the work you do as teachers,” Francis said. He noted that oil and gas will run out soon but the type of citizen that T&T produces will determine the course of the nation’s future
“We need to produce a more innovative, creative, entrepreneurial kind of citizen and what you as primary school teachers produce will determine the kind of future we have,” Francis said. He noted that T&T had to go back to the point in history where teachers were valued and respected
Meanwhile, Presbyterian Moderator Annabell Lalla-Ramkelawan warned that any teacher who becomes disgruntled with their job may end up doing more harm to pupils under their charge
Saying teaching was a noble profession, Lalla-Ramkelawan said teachers need to take time out to refresh and rejuvenate themselves
“Engage in learning new teaching techniques. You need to enhance your deliveries to the students,” Lalla-Ramkelawan said
She encouraged the teachers to always seek opportunities to upgrade themselves
“This is what will increase your passion as a teacher,” she said.
Lalla-Ramkelawan said despite the many challenges teachers face, they should always remember their job is to provide a good education for the children
“Give them your best that you can possibly give with the limited resources you have. Encourage students to strive for excellence,” she said
Lalla-Ramkelawan added, “If at any time you begin to lose your passion as a teacher, I say to you, stop and think. Think of your calling. Remember if you decide to continue the journey when you have lost your passion, you will do more harm to a child placed in your care than good,” she warned
Meanwhile, Mayor Junia Regrello said teachers have the opportunity to shape the character and future of a child
“You have the noble task of guiding someone’s son and daughter. It is a difficult job. It entails the skillset of an entertainer to capture the imagination of the child,” Regrello said
He noted that teachers must learn to connect to their students so that they could inspire them to be the best they can be
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