Many times there are so many volatile situations in Anguilla demanding public attention or editorial comment that some of the more positive or praiseworthy matters in our society are either overlooked or unfortunately ignored altogether. One of the most recent occurrences worthy of commendation was the honouring of a number of Anguilla’s fiercely committed teachers by the Ministry and Department of Education and the Teachers’ Union on Saturday night, November 9, at the lovely and locally-owned La Vue Boutique and Restaurant.
It was a very large, impressive and memorable event. The formality accorded to it by all, in terms of attire, decorum and participation, including the hospitality service of La Vue Boutique, apportioned a lot of meaning and emphasis to the significant occasion. Those at the mass gathering were not only teachers, other educators and government officials. They included many relatives of the teachers and other members of the public who purchased tickets to witness and share in what was in fact a very historic and extraordinary event.
The occasion was really a show of appreciation and caring by the Ministry of Education whose Permanent Secretary had enlisted the support of the Education Department and the various schools in the first Biennial Teacher of the Year Award. The honour was bestowed on seven teachers – six from the Primary Schools and one from the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School – all having distinguished themselves as worthy and dedicated recipients among the island’s large and hardworking teaching fraternity.
The event was part of the well-conceived Teacher Quality Policy crafted by a specially-selected committee working under the able leadership and guidance of the Permanent Secretary. The opportunity taken by the Anguilla Teachers’ Union to award teachers in such categories as Early Movers (linked to the Pre-schools), Beyond the Call of Duty, and Hall of Fame (the category for retired teachers), was indicative of the exemplary and praiseworthy undertaking of the Teacher of the Year Award by the Ministry and Department of Education.
Teachers at all levels of the education system have long complained about a lack of appreciation shown by the hierarchy. If, therefore, the Teacher of the Year Award is an effort to dispel that claim, as it is in fact appears to be intended, then it is a most noble and thoughtful one. The presentation of the awards has not been concentrated at the top of the education system, but rather at the bottom – recognising mainly teachers at the primary level and to a far lesser degree the secondary level. This approach obviously takes into account the tedious tasks involved in teaching younger children and preparing them for admission andtransfer to the comprehensive school.
In like manner, the Teachers’ Union, led by its influential President, awarded teachers at the grass-root or pre-school level where the foundation of the children’s education really has its genesis. It was also right, proper and fitting to award those who have performed beyond the call of duty in their teaching career, as well as those who, having given greatly of themselves, and now officially retired,are consigned to the Hall of Fame.
The Teacher of the Year Award, created by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Education Department and the various schools, and the other awards, given by the Teachers’ Union, constitute a good opportunity to pause and reflect on the more positive happenings in Anguilla.Combined, both categories of awards amount to a plausible initiative for deserving teachers and an encouragement to others to aim for excellence.
