Caribbean Teachers Union Conference Opens
“Education is the key to democracy and economic development,” according to Fred Van Leeuwen, a former General Secretary of Education International, who was speaking at the opening of the Caribbean Union of Teachers [CUT] conference being hosted on the Island for the first time.
“Education is an individual and collective right,” he told the delegates. “Education is the key to human rights, to democracy and economic development. It is one of the most powerful tools against poverty and the way things go in the world depends very much on what teachers do.
“We need to have a strong teaching profession to meet all the challenges that are facing us today,” he added.
“I believe that education unions and teachers organisations play a crucial role in the capacity of countries to deliver quality education for children.”
The two day conference, which is being attended by countries from the across the Caribbean, opened yesterday at the Willowbank Hotel and coincides with the Caribbean Union of Teachers Students’ Track and Field Championships [C.U.T. Games] being held at the National Sports Centre on Friday and Saturday.
Education Minister Diallo Rabain welcomed the delegates and gave them an overview of his Ministry’s education strategy, Plan 2022, saying that teaching “was the most noble profession in the world”.
He added: “There is an urgent need to make sure our children are prepared for the digital age and there is a critical need to work even closer with the BUT as we look to execute Plan 2022.”
CUT President Julian Monrose told delegates: “As a trade union we see our role as being very important for national development and the development of the region. Our human resource is the greatest resource that we have and education provides our people with the tools which allow them to compete.”
The conference and the Games are both part of a series of events being staged in the run-up to the BUT’s 100th anniversary in February next year. Proceeds from events will go towards a $100,000 scholarship fund for local students.
