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Honour teachers, don't begrudge them
Hugh DOUSE
Saturday, June 15, 2013
I think it's time for me to turn the spotlight on education which now occupies the national consciousness.
My mother was a music and English teacher, and my father worked in civil engineering. Both started their service during the days of colonial rule. They experienced pre- and post-Independence Jamaican public service.
Students of St Catherine High School show pride in their school’s quiet achievements. The institution has the distinction of being the largest high school in the English-speaking Caribbean.
Students of St Catherine High School show pride in their school’s quiet achievements. The institution has the distinction of being the largest high school in the English-speaking Caribbean.
There is one place in which both my parents' work and tireless devotion to this nation converged. My father was at the Spanish Town Public Works Department when he was given the task to cut the driveway for the new campus of St Catherine High School. My mother, for several years until her death, taught music there. My elder brother and I studied there. It is a very special place.
The school was founded by Dr Matthew Ashe, a Jesuit priest and Sister Mercedes Doorly, a sister of the Convent of Mercy. From one student in 1948 to 2,500, St Catherine High has the distinction of being the largest high school in the English- speaking Caribbean. It was the living legend, Sister Mary Paschal Figueroa who, in the early 1970s, boldly turned the then all-girls school into a co-educational institution. One of her first boys, Kenneth Richards, was recently installed as the Roman Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of St John's, Antigua.
Now, led by Mr Marlon Campbell, the school is continually accomplishing significant goals quietly, like so many of our schools are. Some schools have learnt to muscle up and shout their praises. Other schools, like St. Catherine High, achieve excellence as a norm. Its list of alumni, of whom any school would be proud, includes the school's present board chairman Lascelles Williams — who, like myself, attended both St Catherine High and St George's College; another great blue and white Catholic school.
In spite of the turmoil, name calling, and general melee surrounding education today, I would like you to refocus on the schools you went to. Some people love their schools because of the learning centre it was, the friends, the teachers, the uniform. For others it was their experience of being in sixth form, or in student leadership, in sports, debating, Key Club, fetes, barbecues, community service, performing arts, entering JCDC festivals, or a myriad of other experiences. Our selfless teachers had to facilitate these activities. From many of these activities many of us found our way into our life's calling, or just out of trouble. On Ken Neale's choir I heard afresh the glories that voices could sing into peoples lives. Yet he was the Geography teacher and Vice Principal. For which of these tasks was he paid? In most schools, the tools which guide us home are the extra-curriculars. We do not pay our teachers to do these tasks. Therefore, we should think twice, three times, even, when we are deciding to take leave entitlements from the noble teachers of St Catherine High, St George's College and every other school.
At the end of this month the alumni of this great school will return to their alma mater to celebrate her 65th in a week of Homecoming. We are everywhere, quietly achieving great goals, because of the great teachers we had. Forty present teachers at the school, who are alumni, will tell you so.
Former head boy Andrew Holness will tell you that. Drama clubbite Juliet Holness will tell you that. Former choir member Chronixx, Lady Spice and D'Angel will tell you that. Dr MoniKa Lawrence will tell you. Dr O'Neal Mundle will tell you so. Sharon Dale, Andrew Douse, Dennis Brooks, Marve Wilmot, the Walters family, the Chuck Family, Jody Brown Lindo, Wayne McKenzie, Dr Colin Gyles, Erica James King, Job Nelson and thousands of others will tell you to give more to the teachers.
Remember your schools, and serve them when they need you. Remember once more to honour your teachers, and do not begrudge them the few benefits they have. If you can read this... thank a teacher.
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/colum...#ixzz2WV6h8xo2
Hugh DOUSE
Saturday, June 15, 2013
I think it's time for me to turn the spotlight on education which now occupies the national consciousness.
My mother was a music and English teacher, and my father worked in civil engineering. Both started their service during the days of colonial rule. They experienced pre- and post-Independence Jamaican public service.
Students of St Catherine High School show pride in their school’s quiet achievements. The institution has the distinction of being the largest high school in the English-speaking Caribbean.
Students of St Catherine High School show pride in their school’s quiet achievements. The institution has the distinction of being the largest high school in the English-speaking Caribbean.
There is one place in which both my parents' work and tireless devotion to this nation converged. My father was at the Spanish Town Public Works Department when he was given the task to cut the driveway for the new campus of St Catherine High School. My mother, for several years until her death, taught music there. My elder brother and I studied there. It is a very special place.
The school was founded by Dr Matthew Ashe, a Jesuit priest and Sister Mercedes Doorly, a sister of the Convent of Mercy. From one student in 1948 to 2,500, St Catherine High has the distinction of being the largest high school in the English- speaking Caribbean. It was the living legend, Sister Mary Paschal Figueroa who, in the early 1970s, boldly turned the then all-girls school into a co-educational institution. One of her first boys, Kenneth Richards, was recently installed as the Roman Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of St John's, Antigua.
Now, led by Mr Marlon Campbell, the school is continually accomplishing significant goals quietly, like so many of our schools are. Some schools have learnt to muscle up and shout their praises. Other schools, like St. Catherine High, achieve excellence as a norm. Its list of alumni, of whom any school would be proud, includes the school's present board chairman Lascelles Williams — who, like myself, attended both St Catherine High and St George's College; another great blue and white Catholic school.
In spite of the turmoil, name calling, and general melee surrounding education today, I would like you to refocus on the schools you went to. Some people love their schools because of the learning centre it was, the friends, the teachers, the uniform. For others it was their experience of being in sixth form, or in student leadership, in sports, debating, Key Club, fetes, barbecues, community service, performing arts, entering JCDC festivals, or a myriad of other experiences. Our selfless teachers had to facilitate these activities. From many of these activities many of us found our way into our life's calling, or just out of trouble. On Ken Neale's choir I heard afresh the glories that voices could sing into peoples lives. Yet he was the Geography teacher and Vice Principal. For which of these tasks was he paid? In most schools, the tools which guide us home are the extra-curriculars. We do not pay our teachers to do these tasks. Therefore, we should think twice, three times, even, when we are deciding to take leave entitlements from the noble teachers of St Catherine High, St George's College and every other school.
At the end of this month the alumni of this great school will return to their alma mater to celebrate her 65th in a week of Homecoming. We are everywhere, quietly achieving great goals, because of the great teachers we had. Forty present teachers at the school, who are alumni, will tell you so.
Former head boy Andrew Holness will tell you that. Drama clubbite Juliet Holness will tell you that. Former choir member Chronixx, Lady Spice and D'Angel will tell you that. Dr MoniKa Lawrence will tell you. Dr O'Neal Mundle will tell you so. Sharon Dale, Andrew Douse, Dennis Brooks, Marve Wilmot, the Walters family, the Chuck Family, Jody Brown Lindo, Wayne McKenzie, Dr Colin Gyles, Erica James King, Job Nelson and thousands of others will tell you to give more to the teachers.
Remember your schools, and serve them when they need you. Remember once more to honour your teachers, and do not begrudge them the few benefits they have. If you can read this... thank a teacher.
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/colum...#ixzz2WV6h8xo2
, the question is: how many such individuals are there present in the current system? 
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