Teachers urged to be innovative

Derrick Kellier

DERRICK KELLIER, Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister, has urged teachers to find more innovative ways to deal with students and to meet the challenges of the new millennium.

"In the context of the new millennium and the rapid development in technology, information transfer and changing social and moral codes, teachers must be ready to effectively deal with students of the third millennium," he said.

The State Minister was addressing some 50 principals and contact teachers at a "Teachers' Appreciation Luncheon" held at the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort in Montego Bay recently.

The luncheon is put on by the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) annually, in appreciation of the contributions made by teachers of western parishes.

Mr. Kellier said it was unfortunate that many in the society still saw teachers as parents, baby sitters, and agents of discipline and counsellors.

He stressed that teachers should seek to become modern day "Joshuas" and "Calebs", fuelled by a vision, passion and courage to conquer.

He congratulated the teachers for their dedication and commitment to the task of educating the nation's children.

Assistant Chief Education Officer in the Ministry of Education and Culture, Delroy Alleyne, urged all teachers to utilise available technologies and become computer literate, as "the age we are now in demands this".

Teachers were given certificates and gift packages by the UDC.

Speaker of the House of Representatives and Member of Parliament for East Central St. James, Violet Neilson, also participated in the ceremony.

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