Edu. system faced with ‘fierce urgency of Now’ – Hon Myron V. Walwyn
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there ‘is’ such a thing as being too late. This is no time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action.”
The activities of the day at the opening ceremony aptly depicted its theme for this year “Literacy through the Arts” which saw an array of talents being displayed by youths that conveyed their knowledge through artistry.
“Our education system cannot successfully fulfil its mission if it is not critically looked at and compared to systems around the world. In 2014 and beyond, we must provide our young people with an education that would afford them the opportunity to attain jobs in this new economy, to be job creators or further their studies in fields that my generation couldn’t even imagine would be available,” said Hon Walwyn.
Central to the act of taking education to the level where it belongs in the VI are the professionals to whom communities entrust the care and responsibility to mould the minds of the youngest residents, their children. “Teachers and school administrators, we are faced with a fierce urgency of now to ensure that our children are given an education that will allow them to compete with their peers in Barbados, Guyana, the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom and yes, even China,” noted Hon Walwyn.
He further stressed that teachers and administrators need to commit themselves even more to moving the Ministry and Department of Education’s education quality improvement strategy forward.
“Teachers and administrators, we need you now more than ever to also understand the importance of your profession evolving with the times, and as we seek to make the education we offer our young people more relevant to today’s economy, you and your profession should also adapt for this advancement,” urged the Education and Culture Minster.
“I understand the demands that are placed on our teachers. That is one reason I will continue to do as much as I can to celebrate and support the work of our teachers. Teachers, you as I have said before, are the architects of our society. You are the ones that face our students on a daily basis and by your work, invest in their lives, expose them to the knowledge they will need to mature and move on to the next stage of their lives. It is you our society has to thank for our steady supply of entrepreneurs, doctors, accountants, tourism professionals, public servants and an additional supply of competent and capable teachers,” he further stated.
Hon Walwyn stressed that the urgency of now demands that all of teachers show up to class ahead of their students prepared to manage their classrooms and inspire their students, that all teachers ensure that just as they are concerned with their students increasing their knowledge, “as teachers, you should also be concerned with ensuring you are keeping up with the latest theories, best practices and changes in your own profession.”
The Education Minister emphatically stated that teachers embrace vigorous and positive changes in the profession to ensure that the quality of education offered to students is relevant to the demands of the 21st century.
Among those present to support the observances of the week was Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith. As he spoke of his NDP Government’s support for the education system, one which he said got a great bulk of this year’s national budget, he saluted the late H. Lavity Stoutt as one that championed the cause of education in the Virgin Islands (VI).
Premier Smith recollected Mr Stoutt’s ensuring that government invest greatly in education at every level even in through the various art form, not only in music.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resource and Labour Dr the Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering and First District Representative and Former Minister for Education Honourable Andrew A. Fahie were present at the opening ceremony.
.png)
.png)
.png)
Follow Us On
23 Responses to “Edu. system faced with ‘fierce urgency of Now’ – Hon Myron V. Walwyn”
I would not be surprised if these very people are against education reforms as presented.