Ministry to spend millions on teacher upgrading THE MINISTRY of Education is to spend $400 million on two programmes to help new and diploma-trained high school teachers upgrade their qualifications. Education Minister, Burchell Whiteman, who made the announcement yesterday at the Lasco Teacher of the Year Awards luncheon at Le Meridien Jamaica Pegasus, New Kingston, did not say when the programmes would start. He however, assured the audience that the Ministry had "recently received approval to award a contract to the University of the West Indies (UWI) for the upgrading of 3,000 practising diploma-trained teachers in our high schools to bring them to degree level in targeted subjects." Senator Whiteman explained that the processes, which would be carried out over a 10-year period, will be done by distance-teaching to reduce the time and cost to individuals and the system "as otherwise teachers would have had to physically relocate themselves." The funding, he continued, was "in addition to the regular awards of on-campus scholarships. This is an additional increment as we seek to build quality in the teacher corps," he told awardees and guests at the ceremony to select and honour the 1999-2000 Teacher of the Year, a runner-up and the May to September 2000 monthly winners. The ceremony was organised by the Lasco Group of Companies in association with the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA). Educational officials are also working towards the bachelor's degree for beginning teachers, Mr. Whiteman said. He explained that the Ministry was developing new relationships between the teachers' colleges and the universities and that teachers' colleges are upgrading their facilities. In addition, these institutions are linking with the universities, local and overseas and the University Council of Jamaica to provide the quality assurance for the public and for the students as well as for the international community, Minister Whiteman said. "They are working together but now in a rationalised structure to strengthen their capacity while they meet the needs in subject areas and disciplines which are now relevant to our stage of development," the Minister continued. He cited as examples the fields of special education, guidance and counselling "with an emphasis on career counselling" and components linked to the performing arts and heritage. Meanwhile Bernal Neil, principal of Hopewell Primary school in St. Elizabeth, emerged 1999-2000 Teacher of the Year while Hazel Duncan of Lennon High school will serve as his runner-up, receiving a trophy and a $50,000 cheque. The teaching veteran, who began his career in 1967 and who was instrumental in the school's operational strengthening, was given a trophy and $100,000 cheque. "I'm deeply surprised (but) overwhelmed with joy. When I saw the illustrious list of contenders, I did not know that I stood a chance. However, it is with humility that I accept this award," Mr. Neil said, thanking God, his staff, the JTA and especially Lasco, on behalf of other awardees for having "seen our worth".
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