Career’s Week 2013 |24 September 2013

Teachers’ role in nation building highlighted

Teachers’ key role in nation building is being highlighted during this year’s Career’s Week which was officially launched yesterday by the director general for schools, Odile Octave.

This annual activity is organised by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with different stakeholders and has to date played an important role in guiding students in choosing their different career paths.  

Present at the ceremony at the ex-NIE auditorium was principal secretary for Education Merida Delcy and other high ranking education officials, headteachers, teachers and students from all the three main islands who are aspiring to be teachers themselves.

Some of the objectives of this annual event are to promote the teaching profession among the youth and to educate the public on the importance of the quality work and ethics and careers education and guidance.  

It is also to encourage students to take greater responsibility for their studies and future career choices and provide information about careers, training and employment opportunities relating to national development.

Referring to this year’s theme for Career’s Week – ‘Teachers at the forefront of nation building’ – Ms Octave said it gives prominence to the teaching profession as teachers are indeed an important facet of any society for many reasons.
 
“Therefore their role in nation building cannot be overemphasised as the national development of any country hinges essentially on their contributions,” said Ms Octave.

“In a bid to improve the quality of Careers Education and Guidance, the Ministry of Education continues to invest considerably in its promotion,” she added.

As part of the opening ceremony, a teacher and two trainee teachers and one retired headteacher also gave an account of the experiences they faced in classes and what inspired them to continue in the profession despite the many challenges.

Retired headteacher Berard Esparon provided an interesting account of his many years in teaching, stating that he was only 16 when he first stepped in a classroom.  
“The first thing a student said was, ‘we are going to beat that guy’, because I was rather small,” said Mr Esparon.  

He said during his many years in teaching he had his share of challenges but nonetheless enjoyed his profession immensely.  

For the young aspiring teachers Mr Esparon had this to say: “Never let anyone discourage you, see the good in your profession and use the various problems as a new challenge.”  
As part of the Career’s Week programme a series of activities has been planned to promote the teaching profession.  

Ms Octave urged the secondary and post-secondary students to avail themselves of the opportunity to discover what the teaching profession is all about.

“To other students and youths who are aspiring to be teachers, listen to this call with your heart.  There is no better way to give back to society what has been given to you throughout your school years,” she said.