Recognition for the contribution they have made as teachers to education has been bestowed on several deserving individuals by the Dominica Association of Teachers (DAT).
Those honored on Wednesday at DAT’s 11th Biennial Conference include Lucille Blackman, James Greer, Theresa Hector, Josephine Jemmot, Angelina Martin and Cynthia Movan.
The others are Clara Savarin, Marcella Severin, Claudette Shillingford, and Glorine Thomas, with their long standing service to the profession highlighted at the conference.
Those still very much in the business of teaching today were reminded that they too could make a difference, and urged to include skills for healthy living in their schools syllabus, in an effort to fight non-communicable diseases in Dominica.
Nutritionist Paula Trotter made the appeal while delivering the feature address at the DAT conference.
She told the teachers “If you are going to be helping your students, they have to be part of identifying the problem and what behaviors they want to change”.
“Too long health nutrition in school has been boring or limited to cooking. We now have to include in there skills for healthy living, which is still a challenge,” Trotter said.
She also recommended schools policies that help to create and maintain a healthy school environment.
And conference participants were reminded by Education Minister Peter St Jean that they should exercise a zero tolerance policy towards deviant behavior at their schools.
He said the government was seeking to overhaul the management structure at all schools to help address the challenges there.
“We will provide you with a supportive environment to support the delivery of quality education to the island’s children,” the education minister told the teachers.
“As government we will continue the sustained effort in ensuring the delivery of quality education that is second to none in the Caribbean,” he added.
CONGRATS MRS THOMAS..YOU WERE ONE OF THE BEST TEACHERS IN STJOE…THERE ARE NOT MANY TEACHERS OUT THERE LIKE YOU. YOU WERE DEDICATED AND HAD ALOT OF PATIENCE…WE ALL IN ST.JOESPH LOVE YOU DEARLY.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE TEACHERS WHO GOT AWARDS.
BUT IT IS TIME FOR MRS NICHOLAS TO TAKE A REST.
IS SHE PRESIDENT FOR LIFE? TIME TO REWRITE THE CONSTITUTION FOR DAT. AS LONG AS SHE STAYS THERE IS MISERY FOR ALL TEACHERS.
DAT IS A BABY!!!! PSU IS THE BARGAINING BODY. WAKE UP TEACHERS.
I really don’t know how Dominicans can get by on these low wages, and the children can be out of order. You really have to be a Saint to want to teach. God bless them.
Congratulations all teachers .Special congrats Mrs.Theresa Hector..former principal of the Tete Morne primary school. Though you never taught me but still I have to give you thumbs up
Congratulations!!sister” Cynthia.”God bless the teachers that dip in their shallow purses to buy manila papers to make charts in their classroom.Did Celia’s DAT negociate a better salary for those poor hard working people?or was she re-elected to her political post?
these were the teachers of the days not those kind of people we have now. stupes
these were the teachers of the days not those kind of people who go into the profession for money. They have no manners, some are no examples for students to live on. Some are trying but the marjority God help us
Congratulations to all High praise for teacher Greer, deserved teacher Greer.
give people their flowers while they alive yes!
As they recognized the dedication and hard work of the educators, by handing a thank you plaque which the recipients will proudly hang in their homes will serve as a constant reminder of how little these dedicated professionals benefit from their respective professions.
Do these teachers have any alternatives to the profession in which they are engaged?
I suppose not!
So; as long as Dominica remains a country where the civil service is supposed to provide employment for the majority of people with an academic background, I suppose for the next century or so, the suffering shall continue.
What’s the point of working in any profession that does not pay enough so that one can even halfway enjoy life?
If after toiling for twenty-eight, or thirty-one days to receive less than thousand dollars per month, what’s the point of working?
If someone gets up and goes to work, and by the time they are paid, their take home pay cannot sustain them for the full mouth, that is indeed a waste of time, it is a joke!
So, what is the resolve?
We experience what happened to the teacher who’s head was bashed by a student, that man did not have five ($500.00) hundred dollars to pay for a common Cat-Scan to his head while bleeding from his nose which was caused by the injury he sustained; how much more are these people suffer in silent?
Over the years, Dominica has improved tremendously, we see improvements in architecture, and in other areas, we find the never ending process of the resurfacing of Roads, and the construction of new ones. This has been a continuous effort for more than sixty years, however, no efforts are made to encourage the industrialization of the country.
Certainly, salaries are dictated based on the volume business, the more money the operator of a business makes the more the proprietors may pay to his/her employees, and that apply’s to civil servants also.
Whereas ours is a stagnant economy, and government resources might be limited it is almost impossible for civil servants to survive on the meager pittance they are paid.
How can a civil servants, and for that matter anybody in the workforce in Dominica including farmers, and domestic servants survive on such starvation salary is beyond comprehension!
People go to work not only to be able to buy food, there are other necessities of life which we all need; a home, and motor Vehicle; considering that houses are sold for seven (US$700,000.00) hundred thousand dollars, how many people working for less than a thousand dollars per month can afford to own a home in Dominica?
I read where a retired government worker in Barbados monthly retirement cheque is over six ($6,000.00)thousand dollars per month, (and no, he never hold a position as prime minister of Barbados)
One does not have to wonder the reason of this vast difference in pay, the fact is Barbados is actually a fully developed island, and an industrialized nation at that.
It is time that we set political rhetoric, and slogans aside, and concentrate on what is best for the country, we need to bring about some changes, that will bring about better pay, so that people can at least find themselves in a position where they can buy food to last thirty-one days, or until the next pay day comes around.
Good roads means that the people who can afford an automobile will drive on smooth road, but what are the people such as the teacher who did not have five hundred dollars to take care of his medical emergency do in the meantime?
The late Paul Southwell once said Dominica is a sleeping giant that will never be awaken, I am now convinced his prediction seems to hold true at this moment!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
Could not have been said better…
I will have to differ with you. Although some of your comments were good, I take offense to the fact that Dominica will never be awaken. Let me ask you, what was/is your contribution to Dominica? If you have not made one, all your comments has no weight.
Well, I am more than happy to tell you that my contributions to Dominica is a never ending saga, you will never hear my name on Radio, or Television where I am praised for something I did for anyone at home.
Some of us do not do things in order simply get public recognition.
That is why we operate in silent: what I do is direct to individuals, and such individuals does not have to be my immediate relatives, if I am told that someone has a need, that I fill, I take the initiative to do what I can for the unfortunate, and you will never hear about it!
When it comes from the heart publicity, or public recognition and thank you is required!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
Thank you
Had not been for the teachers, there would not be teachers, police officers and the ministers ++++++
yet still they are the most struggling workers on the island.
DAT, it’s time to talk about fat salary for the teachers and then work will increase, for there will not be enough plaques to distribute to them.
REX! AGREE WITH YOUR COMMENT A MILLION AND ONE TIMES!!!! SO TRUE!!
Congratulations to all!! Special Congratulations to Mrs Theresa Hector!! Proud of you Miss!!!
ARE THOSE TEACHERS STILL ALIVE AND KICKING. PRAISE GOD FOR THEIR TIME AND PATIENCE.
ARE THOSE TEACHERS STILL ALIVE AND KICKING. PRAISE GOD FOR THEIR TIME AND PATIENCE.
i must say hat off to all the teacher and keep doing there best
I agree wit u dat need to focus on getting teachers a better salary instead of supporting celia partisan position that have half the teachers bending over to make ends meet. Dat need to negotiate reduce duties on vehicles and building materials, 4 percent mortgages and reduced tuition fees at btc, statecollege and uwi and greater discounts at stores because d way things going d females wil prostitute and d males wil sell powder
REX , that’s exactly why you are not a teacher.real teachers work for more than money. We work to make a meaningful contribution to the lives of citizens. Many of the persons who have high paying jobs get brokes too not just teachers. for all I know you are getting much less than a teacher. Have you noticed that even on the small salaries many teachers have their own homes? strupes some people always there to call good bad. STRUPES.
Excuse me! Real teachers work for more than money? so does this mean that i am not a real teacher despite my qualifications, years of service just because i demand that my salary reflect the amount of hours i put in (which by the way far exceeds that of a paper pusher in an office. I make a meaningful contribution to the lives of many young Dominicans but who is making a meaningful contribution to the life of this young Dominican(me)? Teachers have the own homes because of the immense sacrifice they endure for their own personal development. Some after paying their mortgage cannot adequately feed their families. Who wants to be working for 10 or 15 years and not have a home in which to raise their family. They do so by any means necessary. How many people can take loan to buy property, pay for their education ( and that of their children) and sustain themselves (we talking basics here). Whatever preconceived notions that those of you in the positions have about teachers please educate yourself and change it.WE ARE THE WORKING POOR IN THIS COUNTRY AND THE DAT IS DOING NOTHING TO ELEVATE US FROM THAT STATUS. SHE IS MORE CONCERNED ABOUT SAVING FACE AND MAINTAINING HER STATUS.
Congratulation to Mr.James Greer
What is mrs. nicholas doing for all the teachers who finished college and still awaiting appointments.
So true.. She won’t look after the pre-service teachers they don’t pay memebership fees..
The best teacher there was in the elementary schools was Ms. Catherine Daniel when she taught at the Mahaut Governemtn school. In those days teachers cared about the students. She was a prime example. Kudos to her.
the longest road has a bend and the longest rope has an end….time will tell….teachers are ull all asleep? lies, lies lies lies lieslies that’s all teachers hear.
I thought teachers are wise people…..so Why are they continuing to be fooled by the constant lies in all kind of form from this Dat boss…….Dat is becoming her estate,,,,,,,teachers open up allu eyes AND TAKE THIS WOMAN OUT FROM THERE before it is extremely to late,
What about Miss. Jacqueline Henderson at the Goodwill Primary School who have been teaching the kids and going beyond her call of duty .
Congratulations to Mrs Blackman and Miss Severin! We love you!
Is Mrs Nicholas president for life?
Isn’t there someone else who can be President of D A T?
She playing politics.
Maybe looking to be the next min. of Education.
She need to let someone else lead.
Time to step aside.
What about the teachers in the villages like Calibishie that have made a tremendous impact. Why are we looking on one side. We need to recognize all those who have contributed, not those that are our friends.
so what about people like mrs. buffong?
Stupes but who kno Mrs Buffong!!
The DAT needs to focus on getting better pay, opportunities and incentives for the teachers who get a pay so small that by the middle of the month, they cannot buy food to eat instead of just making a charade about giving people plaques! I would NEVER work for the petence that teachers get!
“petence”? is that a new currency?
stupes its the new chinuela currency sot..
you understand! and what about all those SBAs for nothing. To stay in teaching is stress.
Well first thing you have to do is to learn to spell “pittance” before you can work for DAT..