On the eve of the reopening of the schools in Anguilla following the summer vacation, members of the teaching profession observed Teachers’ Appreciation Day. It was an occasion during which the Chief Education Officer delivered a most comprehensive and attention-grabbing report on the performance of students in all the public schools.

She reported on the good, the bad and ugly, but found much to say in terms of the educational achievements of students, the hard work of teachers, the challenges they are encountering and their hopes for continued success in their work. She dwelt to some extent on behaviour, saying that while there was a reduction in suspensions at the Comprehensive School, much concern remained about the problem of indiscipline.

There is growing evidence that teachers are achieving good success rates in the classrooms from kindergarten to Form 6 and they must be applauded for their untiring and dedicated efforts. Someone needs to commend them, but on Teachers’ Appreciation Day, they were obliged to applaud themselves. The only Government official present was the young rookie Minister of Social Development, Evans Rogers, who, unlike the other seasoned Ministers, was once a pupil under some of the senior educators at the function. And they took note of it.

It would have been an honour to the teachers and an appreciation of their hard work if Mr. Rogers was accompanied by his incumbent ministerial colleagues who have had to deal with teething problems in the development of education over the years. There was a need for their large attendance at Teachers’ Appreciation Day similarly to their mass presence at the commissioning of the new fire tender recently. There must have been some disappointment at their absence at a function regarding the education of the island’s children and the future of Anguilla itself.

The appearance of Acting Chief Minister, Victor Banks, at the assembly session at Campus A of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School on Wednesday morning, September 14, was a welcome event. His address to the student body in the presence of the teaching staff was highly appreciated by all concerned. Though perhaps belatedly done, the congratulations he offered the school on its recent successes in the regional examinations went down very well. His exhortations for good behaviour were timely, clear, effective and clever. He told the students to be winners, not losers and that violence would get them nowhere other than in prison or in the morgue. It was a tough statement, but necessary to bring home the point about discipline and the need for commitment to the learning process.

Mr. Banks might have said more to the relief and gratitude of teachers and the good of the students, but intermittent rain squalls interrupted his discourse and sent everybody running for shelter. He was eventually forced to cut short his presentation, but was heard to remark to the Principal that he thought he had made his point. A problem showed up by the rain which Mr. Banks took note of, was the need for a covered auditorium for use during assembly and other activities on Campus A. This may come some day.

It is hoped that in future more attention will be paid to the work of our teachers who are under constant pressure and sometimes threat as they try to educate and lead our children. They are charged with the Herculean task to help mould and produce the future men, women, leaders and professionals of our island. Let us not disappoint them in denying them the support and goodwill they so deservingly need. Their success in the classroom is a success for all of us and for Anguilla. Let all of us give them our unfailing support.

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