SPANISH TOWN, St Catherine:

Five teachers from Guy's Hill High School, along with an ancillary worker, who have together con-tributed many years to the growth of the institution, were honoured for their efforts on Thursday.

The occasion saw several past students, well-wishers and personnel from the teaching fraternity, headed by Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) president Ena Barclay, making glowing tributes on behalf of the awardees.

Those honoured were Ruddy Cooper (1974 to present), his wife Pauline (1976-2005), Carl Stewart (1975 to present), Vassell Hunter (1972-2006), Leebert Thomas (1967-2005), and ancillary worker Gwendolyn Edwards (1973-2007).

The occasion was a very colourful one with the hall set in a theme of blue, yellow and white with matching tables and chairs. The tributes were no less colourful. Dennis Clarke, the master of ceremonies, told the gathering he was proud to be affiliated with the evening's activities as, having gone to college with one of the recipients, he felt privileged to be present.

He told the gathering that his first night at Mico College with Thomas was pleasant, because he helped him avoid ragging by taking him out.

"We went to Little Bo Pepe and I don't remember what happened from there, as the mixture of rum and Pepsi helped me to forget, but it was a pleasant experience, since I was not ragged on that first night in college," said Clarke.

Teachers encouraged

Things took a more serious turn when Barclay delivered the keynote speech. While lauding the efforts of the honourees and the organising committee, she implored teachers not to be discouraged by the negatives affecting the classroom.

"We need a fresh start if we are to take anarchy from the school system, we need to have all the players helping teachers to instil discipline and not just embarrass them with arrest for the slightest thing they do," she said.

Barclay went on to say schools were under siege from the community and the students, and that a unified approach was needed. The JTA president said discipline in schools would only be achieved if people return to a time where the community saw the school as their own and the teachers as part of the change.

She also emphasised that teachers must take pride in their classes and not think too much about being underpaid.

"Teachers are only human and while they try to motivate themselves, they need the participation of all for Jamaica to become a better place," said Barclay.

To this end, she told the gathering that despite the negatives, the JTA would continue to lobby for change to help develop a world-class workforce.