Expansion of the Professional Development Programme (see Thursday paper) to others not already working at schools was a good idea. Every year there are new permit requests to hire foreign teachers, so the need is obviously there.
By allowing persons in both the public and private sectors to earn a Bachelor’s degree for either primary or secondary education from University of St. Martin (USM) and University of the Virgin Islands (UVI), the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) hopes to increase the potential pool of available teachers at both levels. This creates several benefits, including having to import fewer, which should not only save –resettlement – cost but provide greater stability in terms of supply and demand as well.
In addition, learning from existing residents can be extra rewarding because they are familiar with local circumstances. They are thus often better able to identify with students and their parents.
ECYS Minister Rodolphe Samuel and staff deserve credit for enhancing this worthwhile initiative to prepare teachers from the island to stand in classrooms before its children. That they come from different professions has the hidden advantage of possessing practical experience in their former fields in St. Maarten.
After all, being a good educator is about more than just pedagogy.
