Early Childhood Teachers Honoured

A number of early childhood teachers as well as 17 schools in the parish of St. Mary were recently honoured by the Early Childhood Commission (ECC), for long service, and for meeting the Commission’s standards.

The teachers recognized for dedicated service to the sector were: Melena Sweeny, Mildred Taylor, Dozlin Geddes, Cynthia Hall, Vinel White, Bernice Samuels, Barbara Bhansi, Hyancith Roye, Joan Walker, and Merlene Clarke-Mckoy.

The top 10 schools recognized for meeting the ECC’s highest Legal Standards were: Port Maria Infant, Hamilton Mountain Basic, Port Maria High and Preparatory, Iona Preparatory, Race Course Church of Christ Basic, Happy Hours Basic, Stewart Town Basic, Elliot Primary and Infant, Mango Valley Basic, and Carron Hall Infant.

Principal of the Happy Hours Basic School, Monica McKenzie, who responded on behalf of the teachers and the schools, said at the onset of the new rules laid down by the ECC, many of the practitioners were “rebellious”, but they have come to accept that they were put in place to protect the children, and lift the image of the early childhood sector.

“We realized that they would enhance our schools, if we complied, and we started our new journey. This (honour) gives us a strong boost that will lift our efforts to higher levels. We are committed to our children, and we will do whatever it takes to help them build a firm foundation that will enable them to attain the goals that are set,” she said.

For her part, Chairman of the ECC, Professor Maureen Sams-Vaughan, told JIS News that the awards function was part of the agency’s 10^th anniversary celebrations, where they gave recognition to the longest serving teachers, and institutions that have done well.

“We also recognize the schools that have made the greatest progress in the early childhood standards. These standards, when they came out, looked really challenging, but a lot of schools have worked hard and have made significant progress. We persisted and let the teachers and parents know that we all want the same things – the best for our children,” she said.

The other schools to make it on the honour list were: Port Maria Infant, Clonmel Basic, Three Hills Basic, Free Hill Primary and Infant, Port Maria High and Preparatory, Leinster Basic, and Vision Kindergarten.