SVGTU wants stronger ties between parents, teachers

President of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers Union (SVGTU), Otto Sam is of the strong view that there is a need to bridge the gap between parents, teachers and the school. He said that the Teachers Union must continue to articulate the importance of Parent-Teacher Associations, the community and role models.

Speaking at the Teachers Union 14th biennial Convention last Wednesday April 12 at the Campden Park Secondary School, Sam said that the SVGTU is faced with several challenges such as sensitization of teachers as to their rights and responsibilities. {{more}}He also stressed the need to address the issue of violence, under-achievement in males and students in general and deviance, “We must ensure effective support systems for teachers and education. Teacher professionalism and professional development will continue to be featured,” said Sam.

A big smile came to Sam’s face when he mentioned that the SVGTU had negotiated its most comprehensive Collective Agreement to date. This agreement ensures that Senior Qualified Assistant Teachers, Specialists, Graduate Principals, and Deputy Principals who were short paid in 2004 and 2005 received their payments. “Brothers and sisters, the fourth Collective Agreement gives a real sense of pride and excitement. Because your executive maintained all of the past benefits and expanded to cater for every sector of the membership.”

Shedding light on the issue of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) was feature speaker, President of the Dominica Association of Teachers, Celia Nicholas. Nicholas made it clear to all that the CSME should be accepted as a road to development of our people. “We have to be for CSME because as educators we are faced with challenges each day” stated Nicholas. She said that the CSME plays a big role in education since it allowed for freedom of movement among countries.

Nicholas stated that all teachers need to be accountable for what they do and they must learn that Education is not only book work. Nicholas mentioned the fact that teachers are spending too much time disciplining children instead of teaching. “We need to place them in an institution where they can find themselves until they are ready to go back in the education system,” Nicholas said. She didn’t leave the podium before imparting encouraging words to the members of the union. She said, “Let us embrace the opportunities that the CSME has to offer and bring our country to a higher level.”

The convention was held under the theme, “CSME-Its implication for teachers.”