World Teachers Day
The Caribbean Is One Nation.
Submitted by the Mahogany Coconut Group
We join in expressing our total solidarity with teachers today,
Monday October 5th. as they celebrate World Teachers Day. Throughout
our region, teachers continue to function in environments that have not always recognized
their importance in national development. Indeed, much to our disappointment,
teachers are often the very last to be considered, when we are discussing: restructuring economies, protecting the
environment and other pressing issues.
They are usually ignored even when we are examining education!
Somehow we have succeeded in separating the teachers from the very field they
have chosen as career. Yet, with the disdain they endure, they still toil diligently,
as they focus on training our young and future leaders. No wonder that some
have referred to teaching as a thankless profession.
Our teachers are now entering classrooms that in many cases
are dangerous because of the increase in school violence. The growth of social
media has also resulted in acts of violence and sexual encounters taking place
on the school compound, being published for public viewing. When these
spectacles are exposed, we often blame the teachers for a breakdown in
discipline. Our teachers have been used as scapegoats, in many instances, so
that the visionless political managerial class could escape closer scrutiny,
when it comes to our either failing or lagging educational system.
The theme of this year’s World Teachers day is: “Empowering
teachers, building sustainable societies.” If this team is to hold true for our
region, we must bring teachers into the mainstream of regional development planning.
It is futile to examine any product without first seeking the advice of those who
work on the production line. The era of the teacher being seen as a substitute
for the village preacher or pastor has long past. Although we recognize, that
such a view, is a relic of the strong influence the church had on the
profession and educational system, during our colonial days.
It is time we hear more from our teachers and less from the
economists and other intellectual workers,
who in many cases, some would say most, are nothing more than water carriers
for the political managerial class.
We therefore salute our
teachers and thank them for their great efforts, as we seek to create the new
Caribbean nation.
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