Teachers must learn in unprecedented ways to consistently elevate the quality of the learning experience for our children – the future of the nation.
This view was expressed by Minister of Education, Technological and Vocational Training, Kay McConney, on Monday, at the orientation ceremony for the inaugural class of two certificate programmes, in the Lecture Theatre of the Erdiston Teachers’ Training College, The Pine, St. Michael.
Ms. McConney said: “Our commitment as a government is to the quality of our teachers and our leaders, helping you to consistently elevate the quality of the learning experience for our children. The value of education is fundamentally realised in quality and not in the amount. This partnership [between the Erdiston Teachers’ Training College and Columbia University] shows a commitment to excellence, a dedication to continued improvement, a shared vision for the future of education, grounded in quality, first.”
The Education Minister underscored the importance of government’s investment in teachers, as the Ministry seeks to ably navigate ‘education in the 21st century’.
“Doing education well means for our government investing in the very people who make education work, equipping you to lead the transformation and the innovation at a time when the global landscape for learning and earning is rapidly changing. It is paramount, not only for the success of our students, but for the success of our country.
“It is our senior teachers, our department heads and the coordinators of all types of subjects that will play crucial roles in shaping the direction and the success of our schools, and by focusing on leadership paradigms in this partnership, we commit to developing an enlightened generation of leaders at all levels,” she stated.
The two programmes – ‘Developing Teacher Efficacy in the Classroom’ and ‘Exploring Leadership Paradigms, Principles and Practices’ – will be facilitated by visiting professors from Columbia University.
Explaining the concept of ‘teacher efficacy’, Ms. McConney pointed out that, at its core, it speaks to the level of confidence that educators hold in their capacity to influence student performance and achievement of success.
She continued: “Research consistently shows that those teachers who have high self-efficacy are more resilient. You are more open to new ideas. You are more willing to experiment with new methods to better meet the needs of your students. They say that teachers with high self-efficacy set higher goals for yourselves and for your students, and you persist in the face of challenges.”
The Minister stated that the future education system could not be created by a system once used for our grandparents.
She also noted that developing and maintaining high levels of teacher efficacy will be a priority and will require ongoing support, continuous professional development, and a culture that values and nurtures educational growth.
Ms. McConney pointed out that the efforts made towards the professional development of teachers will culminate in improved student outcomes, and as the Ministry enhances teacher efficacy and school leadership, it will create more effective learning environments that benefit students at all levels.
“Teacher efficacy in the classroom and exploring leadership and principles and practices are the two critical areas of investment that will launch this partnership today. These cornerstones of educational success are not just theoretical concepts, but they are practicum and they are impactful elements that will shape the very fabric of the quality of education,” she said.
Minister McConney encouraged the participants to show their passion, expertise, and love for themselves and their students as they participate in the training programme.
“I say to Columbia University, look out, Barbados is coming. And to Barbados, I say all the best to all of you. We expect that together, we will revolutionise teacher training; we will be able to evolve our teachers and our school leaders in our education system in a way that redefines leadership and creates a brighter future for generations to come.”