TEACHERS' DAY is being celebrated today, May 7, with a host of activities to honour the nation's educators. It is always observed on the Wednesday of the first full week in May.
The observance of Jamaica Teachers' Day goes back to 1988, when the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce initiated it. It was incorporated in the activities of "Education Week", celebrated by the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA).
Teachers' Day was conceived to highlight the significant contribution of teachers in Jamaica. The Education Committee of the Chamber of Commerce worked hard to give the day national recognition. Its efforts were fruitful and now each year Teachers' Day is celebrated by students, parents and teachers throughout Jamaica.
Today, The Gleaner will be honouring 80 teachers from Clarendon at a Teachers' Day Luncheon. The luncheon, an annual event, will be at the Versalles Hotel, May Pen.
Also, Sir Howard Cooke, the Governor-General, will this morning receive a courtesy call at Kings House from Sadie Comrie, president of the JTA, and members of her executive.
At the time of its implementation, there was a massive brain drain of teachers from the profession. The efforts of the chamber were aimed primarily at motivating more young people to enter the profession and to give rise to a positive perception of it.
