As Teachers across Anguilla marked World Teachers’ Week, and the partial reopening of schools on the island, many of them spent time attending their respective churches on Sunday, October 3.
A number of them worshipped at the Pro-Cathedral of St. Mary, where the service was conducted by the Rt. Rev. Errol Brooks who thanked them for their work during a trying situation brought on by COVID-19. Among the gathering was the President of the Anguilla Teachers’ Union, Ms. Sherise Gumbs, and other executive members.
Bishop Brooks stressed that no one should ever underestimate the efforts and contributions of teachers in building the Anguillian society, particularly at this COVID-19 trying time of e-learning as well as face-to-face classroom instruction.
Referring to a clip he received from someone, regarding the work of teachers, and their remuneration, the Bishop said: “I am not starting a revolution for you. The clip reads: ‘Teachers are not common people and common people are not teachers. Please do not choose to become a teacher until you are worth it.’ And under the portrait of Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, the crunch of the statement is: ‘Teachers in Germany get the highest salary in the country and when judges, doctors and engineers asked the Chancellor of Germany for the same salary, she told them: ‘How can I compare you with those who taught you?’”
The Bishop went on: “The countries that value their teachers highly, and pay them accordingly, are among the world leaders in terms of economic development, quality of life and human development. Countries like Germany, Finland, Japan and Singapore are miles ahead because they treat their teachers well.”
He stressed, however, that teachers should not only focus on money as teaching was a vocation where they were required to give of their best service.
Ms. Gumbs, the President of the Teachers’ Union, outlined the activities for Teachers’ Week and thanked all members of the public in Anguilla for their support.
