Teachers, across Anguilla, returned to their classrooms on Monday, September 7, with the assurance that they are being appreciated and thanked for their difficult, but rewarding service.
Rev. Wilmoth Hodge, Chief Education Officer, Mr Bren Romney, and Mr Winston Duncan
They were assured of such recognition when they attended the 18th Annual Welcome Back Ceremony on Friday, September 4, at the Rodney MacArthur Rey Auditorium.
The assurance was given by the newly-appointed Minister of Education and Social Development, Ms. Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers. “I would first like to welcome you all back and extend a special welcome to new staff,” she told the large gathering of teachers. “I thank all of you for the hard work that you do with very little resources. Your dedication is admirable and do not for one second think that this has gone unnoticed. I hope the summer vacation – while very brief this year – provided you with an opportunity to rest because there is more hard work ahead of you.”
The 27-year-old Minister, in the Anguilla Progressive Movement Government, continued: “The 2019-2020 academic year presented challenges like no other. While we are prepared – to a large extent – to deal with natural disasters, nothing in our history could have prepared us for the impacts of Covid-19. The closure of the schools, earlier in the year, has led to setbacks and delays. Despite our best efforts, we will definitely be playing catch up in the coming academic year. Unfortunately, the challenges associated with Covid will stay with us for the unforeseeable future.
“As we deal with Covid, we continue to struggle with the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. We continue with the split shift at the secondary school which presents a myriad of challenges for teachers. With the exception of two primary schools, all our education facilities are under construction. These times of disruption and transition are not easy. I have full confidence, however, that we will get through this difficult period. We have to employ some innovative approaches to ensure that our children received the education to which they are entitled – and we will continue to do so. The Ministry stands ready to assist in carrying out our very important mandate.
“The work that you do is so important to shaping the future of our children and, by extension, the future of our nation. I would argue that no one in this country has a more important job, or more influence, than that of an educator. Every day you are moulding Anguilla’s future. True development only comes when our people are educated. Attempting to build a nation without focusing on developing our human resource capacity is akin to building a house without a foundation. People are the bedrock of development. They must be equipped to participate in, and benefit from, all aspects of national development.”
Minister Kentish-Rogers told the educators: “Ultimately, if we work hand in hand together, it is possible for us to become a centre of excellence for the region despite our challenges.” She added: “No profession is as critical as teaching. Without educators, there would be no other professions. You are the true heroes – not all superheroes have Capes. Some have teaching degrees. Best wishes to all of you for a productive school year. And, with that, I declare the 2020-2021 academic year officially open.”
The teachers were also addressed by Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Olufunmike Banks-Devonish, who is currently employed by the Government of Anguilla. Over the past eleven years she has studied or worked in Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States. She is the daughter of Dr. O. M. Linda Banks, a Clinical Psychologist and Mr. Courtney Devonish, an Artist and Sculptor.
The young Dr. Banks-Devonish spoke to the teachers on a number of topics about their responsibilities to their students and the need to take care of themselves. “As teachers, it is imperative that you look at your own mental health and emotional well-being,” she advised them. “The reality is that, as a society, we have been conditioned that we just have to stay strong and that we should do what we have to do – and oftentimes we neglect our emotional and mental health. It is just as important to stay emotionally healthy as it is to stay physically healthy. Of course, with my personal bias, I might say that it is even more important to be emotionally healthy.”
She urged the teachers to pay attention to the needs of those around them and to provide the required assistance to them – either personally or to seek the professional help of others. The Clinical Psychologist reminded the teachers: “Yes, you are superheroes and should be proud for being a superhero, but you also have to take care of yourself…so that you can remain mentally and emotionally healthy.”
Other participants in the welcome and appreciation event were Mr. Winston Duncan, Curriculum Officer, Science, who chaired the proceedings; Rev. Candis Niles, who delivered the Invocation; Mr. Bren Romney, Chief Education Officer, who gave the welcome remarks; Reverend Wilmoth Hodge, who brought words of inspiration to the teachers; and Mrs. Juliet Simon of the Early Childhood Association, who offered greetings to the gathering.
