‘Be attuned with students’ unique skills & interests’ – Premier Smith
Premier Smith was speaking at a meeting entitled ‘Address to Senior Managers of the Ministry of Education and Culture and Members of its Statutory Boards’, held at Maria’s By The Sea in Road Town, Tortola.
“We are working to ensure that our children have an opportunity and the skills to reach their full potential and contribute to the social and economic development of the territory. But we cannot do it alone,” he said.
The Premier told the gathering that each of them had an important role in the Government’s vision for the development of the people.
He said 2016 promises to be an even more exciting year in education for the VI, “One that will require all hands pushing the wheel in the same direction.”
The Premier said that upon taking office in 2011, he charged his Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn to ensure the educational success of the territory. “I wanted to see the quality of the education system improve while we create a culture of excellence and create opportunities to provide the young people with positive development as they are the future,” he said.
The Premier said that while a lot has been done, there is much more to do in the area of strategic planning, monitoring and strengthening the regulatory framework to ensure the quality of education is strengthened.
“We want to ensure that what happens inside the structured walls of the classroom continues to empower students. It is not business as usual. And my Government aims to take education to a higher level, therefore we need to continue thinking [outside the box],” he said.
He called for the education professionals to create innovative learning environments that motivate students to think critically and collaboratively, and be competitive.
“We all have a responsibility to stay attuned with the unique skills and interests of our children and help to [guide them] in to areas of professional [careers],” he said, noting that the students can learn in areas today which would see them meeting the employment needs of tomorrow.
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