Division of Teacher Education turns 60

The Division of Teacher Education of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College (SVGCC), marked its 60th year of existence last month.

Formerly known as the St.Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers’ College, is celebrating 60 years of existence under the theme 60 Years of Excellence in Education: Honouring the past, celebrating the present, inspiring the future.

Honouring the past

The sight of trainee teachers in their uniforms accessing training was not a familiar one before 1964. Before that year there was no teacher education college as we know available in St.Vincent and the Grenadines. A few individuals were enrolled in Erdiston Training College in Barbados while others received some level of training at the Pupil Teacher Centers throughout St.Vincent.

This state of affairs ended in 1964, when the St.Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers’ College opened its doors. The first group of students received instruction at the Old Grammar School building.However, in 1973, the Teachers College moved to facilities in Arnos Vale –a gift from the British Government.

Standing on their shoulders

However,Teacher Education cannot be limited to the physical location of a building. The expertise and experience of those who have provided instruction and administration have been vital to its success. From its inception, leaders of the then Teachers’ College were referred to as principals. The first principal was a Canadian- Mr. E. W. Holmes, who served from 1964 to 1966 and was succeeded by two other Canadian principals-Mr. James. H. Ramsey and Mr. S. Clifford.

Since then St.Vincent and the Grenadines have produced capable sons and daughters of the soil who have provided competent leadership. Mrs Ednitt Providence-Mitchell who served the institution from 1972 to 1977 was the first local Principal. The list below highlights those who have served the institution over the past sixty four years:

• 1972 – 1977: Mrs. Ednitt Providence-Mitchell

• 1977 – 1998: Mr. Chester Rogers

• 1998 – 1999: Mr. Christopher Dennie

• 1999 – 2003: Dr. Veronica Marks

• 2003 – 2004: Mr. Philemon Williams (Ag)

• 2004 – 2005: Mrs. Deborah Bacchus

• 2005 – 2008: Dr. Alson Jack

• 2008 – 2015: Mrs. Eula Adams

• 2015 –2021 Dr. Harriette Da Silva

• 2022-present:Dr.S.Marise Butler

Celebrating the present

Much has changed from those early days. Let us examine changes to the name location and suite of programmes offered.

Nomenclature-In 2005 with the creation of amalgamated college-the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College, the Teachers’College joined three other divisions and was renamed the Division of Teacher Education (DTE). The term principal was changed to Dean. Dr. Alson Jack therefore became the final principal of the Teachers’ College and the first Dean of the Division of Teacher Education.

Location-The Division of Teacher Education is located at the Villa Campus. It shares the space with the Division of Arts Sciences and General Studies.

Programmes Offered-The Division of Teacher Education, through franchised offerings with the School of Education University of the West Indies (UWI)Cave Hill Campus, offers a wide variety of programmes . These programmes below are available both to persons with no teaching experience (pre-service teachers) as well as to teachers already employed in the nation’s private and government run early childhood centers, primary and secondary schools (in-service teachers).

1. Associate Degree in Education (Primary)

2. Associate Degree Early Childhood Education

3. Associate Degree in Education (Secondary)

4. Associate degree TVET Education (Secondary)

A Post Graduate Diploma (DipEd) is also offered for Secondary school teachers who have content area degrees but no teacher training. Further, the DTE lecturers are typically contracted for instruction in the B.Ed and M.Ed degrees offered by the UWI Cave Hill through the SVGCC.

Staff

The capacities of Teacher Education offered in St. Vincent and the Grenadines depends greatly on the those who carry out instruction. Currently the Division of Teacher Education boasts a staff of nine lecturers whose expertise and experience in core areas allow them to provide instruction up to the masters’ level:

Language, Literature and Literacy

• S.Marise Butler

• Bernisa Roberts

Early Childhood

• Ann Dopwell

Social Sciences

• Kendra King Snag

• Debra Laborde

• Roderick McKree

Mathematics

• Samantha Porter

• Khadine Black

Science

• Ian Williams

Current Full-time staff Division of Teacher Education. Missing from photograph -Mrs. Ian Williams

The DTE is also grateful for the continuing contribution of its adjunct staff who provide instruction in specialist areas such as Business, TVET, Special needs, Foreign languages, Art, Physical Education, Technology Integration, Music, Theater Arts and HFLE. The capabilities of our staff have ensured that over the years students leaving the DTE are eligible for national awards, scholarships and bursaries which propel them into undergraduate and graduate studies. In fact, in this our 60th year twenty-nine (29) graduates received national awards which will enable further studies.

This year’s recipients of National bursaries and scholarships form the DTE

Partnerships

Over the years the DTE has partnered with several cooperate entities. The DTE is grateful for the Mustique Charitable Foundation which has provided students in their second year with tuition fees as well as funds to assist with the Teaching Practicum. The Division has also cultivated partnerships with Gaymes Books store and most recently Remax Real Estate Agency and welcomes collaboration with other cooperate organizations.

The DTE has also maintained strong bonds with the Ministry of Education and the schools throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines and anticipates even stronger relationships in the years to come.

Second year students who received bursaries from the Mustique Charitable Foundation- October 11th, 2024

Inspiring the future

While much has been accomplished over the past 60 years, the changing tapestry of our society demands corresponding change in the teacher Education programmes available. To this end, the DTE plans to increase its programme offerings in the ADE to include areas such as Physical Education. In addition, a DipEd in TVET is also being considered. Short courses to meet the needs of in-service teachers are also envisioned.

Conclusion

From its earlybeginnings in 1964 to its current position as premier teacher education institution in St.Vincent and the Grenadines, the DTE continues to provide teacher Education which ensures the instruction of its populace. Our teachers touch children in every village, town and community of our country providing not only academic instruction but also emotional and moral support to our nation’s children. All professions begin with a teacher and it is our hope that all teachers will find a home at the DTE and contribute to the legacy of ‘Honouring the past, inspiring the future”.