One of the immediate matters which have come to the attention of Governor Andrew George is the fact that male teachers in Anguilla are on the decline. This was noticeable during his familiarisation visits to the primary schools this week and last week.

Governor meets Principal Marilyn Richardson and students at the Stoney Ground School

There are no male class teachers at the Stoney Ground, East End and Island Harbour Primary Schools. There are two at the Road Primary School on the Blowing Road and two at the Alwyn Allison Primary School at West End including the Principal, Art Egel. Except for the latter school, all the other schools are headed by female Principals.

Governor meets Principal Marilyn Richardson and students at the Stoney Ground School

At the Road Primary School with Principal Ornette.

During his visit to Road School, accompanied by his wife, Mrs. George, and the Education Officer for Primary Education, Veda Harrigan, the Governor spoke to Michael Skellekie, one of the two male teachers there. He asked the teacher about the number of male teachers to which Skellekie replied that it was very few. The Governor commented that he and his wife have a 24-year-old son who teaches English in Japan.

Teacher Skellekie with students

The other male teacher at the Road School is Rondie Iles, a former Customs Officer at Blowing Point. He says he likes teaching but this year was “very difficult” time for him. He did not explain.

The Principal, Ornette Edwards-Gumbs, gave The Anguillian one reason for the very few male class teachers in the service. She indicated that men, being the main bread winners in families, were opting for the better –paying jobs on the island. Such jobs are elsewhere in the public service and in the private sector.

The male teachers who are still in the service are to be commended for their dedication, love for teaching and perhaps sacrifice.

Governor meets Principal Art Egel at the Alwyn Allison School

Apart from the few male class teachers, the Primary Schools are served by two male physical education teachers but because of the nature of their duties, they are largely found on the playing fields. The two are Trevor Davis (Ras Bucket) and John Martin. Both of them were coaching young footballers from the Alwyn Allison Primary School when the Governor’s visiting party drove up at the premises and was met by Principal Art Egel.

Presentation of t-shirts to Governor & wife

That was last week.
This week, Wednesday, the Governor continued his visits at the Stoney Ground and Valley Primary Schools.

| Printer-friendly page | Send this article to a friend |

World News