Teachers play an important role in society

UPDATE:

While many parents look at teachers as babysitters, without teachers, parents will not be not be able to go to work, which has the true potential of bringing TT’s economic machinery to a halt, said President of the National Primary School Principal’s Association Lance Mottley.

Addressing TT Unified Teachers’ Association 39th annual conference of delegates 2018 yesterday at Cascadia Hotel, St Ann’s, Mottley said it is important teachers are treated well and recognised for their worth.

“We can begin by ensuring that teachers are paid well. The theme, ‘Teachers, the heartbeat of our public education system’, underscores the value of the job we do in society.
“The very obvious is what everybody sees or should know, that is, we educate our nation’s children. But what is perhaps not so well known is the fact that we help shape and mould minds, attitudes and character so that children can one day take their rightful place in society, and that, to me is what sets us apart from the other professions.”

Mottley said the theme also encourages teachers to do some introspection from a health perspective “because too many teachers are dying on the job.”

“We, as teachers, need to look after ourselves: we need to engage in healthy practices; eat right and on time, and exercise, find time to relax, so that our own heart can be healthy; indeed, if you are unable to perform your duties, then you are no good to yourself, your family and society.”

He added, “Now, while it is important to think of ourselves highly, we are not above scrutiny. Teachers are not highly regarded as in the past. Do we have something to do with that? Teachers are not important simply because we are called teachers. No! We are important because of the time role we perform in society. And if we are not doing it well, we must be called to account.”
Mottley said there are also too many teachers who are just collecting a salary and giving the profession a bad name.

He said it is a situation that must be dealt with and teachers who are not performing must step up or be replaced.

“I know as a union, you may argue that that is not within your remit, and perhaps not. But given the valuable role we perform in society, of which we are a part, can we be comfortable thinking that we do not have a responsibility to address it. Comrades, I posit, that if we don’t, we will be as guilty as those who are directly charged with the responsibility of reigning in our teachers.

“As we embark upon this conference, I challenge you to ponder on these things, so that the final decisions you make will ensure that teachers continue to be revered as the heartbeat of our public education system.”

ORIGINAL STORY:

While many parents look at teachers as babysitters, without teachers, parents will not be not be able to go to work, which has the true potential of bringing TT’s economic machinery to a halt, said President of the National Primary School Principal’s Association Lance Mottley.

Addressing TT Unified Teachers’ Association 39th annual conference of delegates 2018 yesterday at Cascadia Hotel, St Ann’s, Mottley said it is important teachers are treated well and recognised for their worth.

“We can begin by ensuring that teachers are paid well. The theme, ‘Teachers, the heartbeat of our public education system’, underscores the value of the job we do in society.

“The very obvious is what everybody sees or should know, that is, we educate our nation’s children. But what is perhaps not so well known is the fact that we help shape and mould minds, attitudes and character so that children can one day take their rightful place in society, and that, to me is what sets us apart from the other professions.”

Mottley said the theme also encourages teachers to do some introspection from a health perspective “because too many teachers are dying on the job.”