This October 5, 2009, the Sector Education joins others around the world in celebrating World Teachers Day. An event like this provides the entire St. Maarten community with the opportunity to thank all teachers for the invaluable work that they do in the education profession to shape the future of countries, but St. Maarten in particular.
A day like this also augurs well for us as a community to realize that the recognition given to persons in the profession has deteriorated over the years. Teachers are not seen through the same eyes as that of societies of the past. Rather than the beacons whose professional and wise counsel was sought in all aspects of societal development, teachers are more seen as the persons whose tasks should be focused on the teaching and learning in the classroom. This is far from the truth.
Teachers help shape the society in which we live not just simply from their instructional role in the classroom, but through their counsel sought by the students; their role in determining and shaping the curriculum of schools; and, the advice and admonition provided to the many students with whom they interact both in and out of the classroom on a daily basis. Teachers are truly the ones who mold the children they teach. However, the task has become more challenging to teachers as the society has become more diverse.
The world in which we live is ever changing. It demands an ever-changing educator to meet the needs of a more developing and demanding society. Teachers therefore have an invaluable role to play in assisting our diverse student population in acquiring the necessary knowledge, skill, and attitude required to survive in a world where the future demands more of everyone.
For St. Maarten the challenge is even graver as we, like many other countries grapple with teacher shortage and fewer persons showing interest in joining this noble profession called teaching. As we strive towards determining our own destiny as Country St. Maarten, there is no greater challenge that can confront us but to build the future by investing in our teachers now! Despite the global economic downturn, an investment in education is definitely not a lost one.
On this your special day, may all of you continue to hold dear to your heart this noble profession and continue to play your valuable role in guiding our future citizens. Make these future citizens come to the realization that education does not end upon their completion of secondary or tertiary learning. Education is life-long learning.
A Happy Teachers Day is wished to all teachers on St. Maarten, public, publicly funded and private schools!