Teachers participating in the introductory course applaud during the closing ceremony at Erdiston College.??
A Government Minister has described teaching as "the most noble profession on earth" and he has urged persons to take this choice of career seriously.
Minister of Education and Human Resource Development, Ronald Jones, made this observation recently while speaking at the closing ceremony of the Teachers’ Introductory Course 2009 at Erdiston Teachers’ Training College.
"As young teachers you have this country in your hands. You are well educated and well positioned to take on the proud tradition of teaching … there is no profession like teaching, we educate doctors, lawyers and musicians to name a few," he noted.
Newly trained educators were also encouraged to fight mediocrity, which could creep in after years of being in the teaching service. "Constantly refresh your notes, keep up to date and constantly bring new research to the children you teach," Mr. Jones urged.
Mr. Jones, a former teacher, himself, also reiterated the importance of nurturing students and extracting the best from them. He stated that many pupils came to school with negative social influences and opined that it was the job of the tutor to seek to understand the complexities of each child and to assist them when necessary.??
"Schools cannot replace homes, but if homes are dysfunctional and weak, educators should try to nurture as well as train and educate," the Minister said, adding that teachers could "set up support mechanisms in school to help students who may not be able to buy lunch, etc".
Acting Principal of Erdiston College, Barbara Parris, also addressed the recently trained teachers. She encouraged them to make learning contagious and to find a pathway to reach every student. Ms. Parris stressed that the Erdiston Teachers’ Training College was fully committed to ensuring that teachers were fully trained.
Some 85 persons graduated from the Teachers’ Introductory Course.