It’s World Teachers’ Day
JAMAICA joins the rest of the world today in celebrating World Teachers’ Day 2014, under the theme ‘Invest in the future, invest in teachers’.
World Teachers’ Day, which is celebrated annually, was inaugurated on October 5, 1994 by UNESCO and the International Labour Organisation.
In commemoration of the day, the Jamaica Teaching Council (JTC) , in collaboration with the Education System Transformation Programme, will launch its Forum for Innovations In Teaching (FIT), themed, ‘A 21st Century teacher for a 21st Century generation — breaking the poverty cycle’. The forum will take place October 10 to 11 at the National Arena and will feature displays, innovations and the exchange of ideas through seminars and panel discussions.
Chief executive officer of the JTC, Dr Winsome Gordon, said because teaching is at the core of the education system, the entire Ministry of Education will be involved in the forum.
“The ministry and its agencies will be on show. There will be two days of innovative educational displays; four dynamic town hall style panel discussions; 28 teacher training workshops; tribute to teachers; kiddies village; car and fashion shows and other entertainment,” Dr Gordon said.
She said special focus will be given to the use of technology in education to improve quality and delivery. She also noted that as the forum focuses on breaking the poverty cycle, attention will be given to innovations that will improve educational opportunities for children in poor circumstances.
The two-day event will comprise an exposition and exhibits mounted by teachers and their students, partners in education, the Ministry of Education and its agencies, and each day’s activity will culminate with an awards ceremony.