Education Month 2012 will be marked by events which will commemorate 50 years of universal free public education on the island (1962-2012).

Under the theme Celebrating 50: Free Education For All, the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development will begin the celebrations with divine worship at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, October 1, at the Sanctuary Empowerment Centre, Country Road, St. Michael.

Minister of Education, Ronald Jones, will deliver remarks, while three schools – Ignatius Byer Primary School, Ellerslie Secondary and Ann Hill School – will serenade the congregation with music. The officiating minister will be Bishop Dr. Winston Clarke, the Information Technology Coordinator at St. Paul’s Primary.

On Wednesday, October 3, the Ministry will embark on a tree planting exercise that will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the Blackman and Gollop Primary School, Staple Grove, Christ Church and move to Thelma Berry Nursery, St. Davids, at around 11:00 a.m. Minister Jones will plant a custard apple tree at both institutions and unveil a commemorative plaque.

Monday, October 10, will see the planting of another tree by the Minister at the Maria Holder Nursery School, Sharon, St. Thomas. This starts at 10:00 a.m.

On Friday, October 12, there will be an after work lime, karaoke and line dancing session in the quadrangle of the Ministry’s headquarters at the Elsie Payne Complex, Constitution Road, St. Michael, from 4:30 p.m. The following day, Saturday, October 13, staff of the Ministry, educators and their families will participate in a 5km walk from Queen’s Park to Browne’s Beach, beginning at 7:30 a.m.

Visits to retired educators by Ministry officials have been planned for Wednesday, October 17 and Thursday, October 18. During this exercise, gift baskets and other cheer will be taken to the homes of these elderly individuals.

Friday, October 19, is Teachers’ Professional Day and principals and teachers are encouraged to plan activities for their own self-development.

On Saturday, October 20, teachers along with their family and friends can expect four hours of fun and excitement during a Safari tour of the island. Persons interested in the tour, which will climax with a picnic, should meet at the Ministry from 7:45 a.m. and may contact Nichole Hunte at 430-2747 or register online at http://www.btec.com.bb/.

National Teachers’ Appreciation Day will be on Tuesday, October 23, and it is expected that students across the island will show much warmth and gratitude towards their teachers.

The annual cricket match will be held at Bridgefield Playing Field, St. Thomas on Friday, October 26. Members of the public are invited to come out and watch the cricketers from the Ministry as they battle a team of teachers from 7:00 p.m.

On Saturday, October 27, educators and their families will take a hike through St. John going from the St. John’s Parish Church to Bath, from 6:30 a.m.

From October 27 to 31, the Ministry will hold a Barbados Students at Risk Conference at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, from 9:00 a.m.?? Minister of Education Ronald Jones will address the official opening on Sunday, October 28 at 6:00 p.m.

During Education Month, teachers are also urged to attend activities of the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT). These include a church service at Unity Wesleyan Church, St. John on Sunday, October 21, from 10:00 a.m. and the BUT’s Presidents’ Reception on Monday, October 22, from 7:00 p.m., at that organisation’s headquarters, Merryhill, Welches, St. Michael.

The John Cumberbatch Memorial Lecture will be delivered on Wednesday, October 24, by retired teacher of The St. Michael School, Herbert Reifer. It will be held at the Almond Bay Conference Centre, Hastings, Christ Church, from 7:00 p.m. and Mr. Reifer will address the theme for Teachers’ Week: Reassessing the role of??education in these challenging economic times.

The following day, Thursday, October 25, at 9:00 a.m. teachers are invited to a professional development workshop at the Almond Bay Conference Centre, where a review of the Summer Institute, held in July at Deighton Griffith School, will be undertaken to discuss progress in the implementation of strategies.

Education Month culminates with a two-day Visual Arts Exhibition at St. Leonard’s Boys’ School, Richmond Gap, St. Michael on Monday, October 29 and Tuesday, October 30.??

Some of the best pieces of art from all levels of primary and secondary schools will be displayed to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.

joy-ann.gill@barbados.gov.bb

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