Good morning everyone.
Distinguished guests
Principals
Teachers
Students
Other guests
Education Week offers an opportunity for all residents in the Turks and Caicos Islands to celebrate the important role that education plays in promoting equity, the achievements of our students and the invaluable work of our educators in building our society.
According to Christine Gregoire, “Education is the foundation upon which we build our future.” For this reason, when laying a foundation, one must put in place the essential elements which will cement the goals we have for our vision. I am not a building contractor, but I can appreciate the value of a good foundation. Hence, I am determined as the Minister of Education to further steer the construction of the right education system for this country.
My predecessors have all made significant contributions to the development of education in this country, and on this day; as we gather to give God thanks for the milestones we have achieved, I also pause to say thanks to those who have served before me as Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Directors, Education Officers, Principals, Teachers, and everyone who has contributed to our education system over the years. I recognize all of you as a part of the foundation which we have been laying.
The theme for this year’s education week is “Quality Education for Lifelong Learners”. Firstly, let us consider what can be defined as “Quality Education”. Quality education is an effective means to fight poverty, build democracies, and foster peaceful societies. Quality education empowers us as individuals, it gives us a voice, unlocks our potential, opens pathways to self-actualization, and broadens perspectives to open our minds to a pluralist world.
Based on this definition of a quality education, our country is still working on those objectives and I believe we are making good strides. Just over a week ago, the Ministry launched the Education Sector Plan and the Alternative Education Policy. Another new policy that is currently being implemented is the Special Needs Policy. Through these policies and other programmes, we are building the education sector in a manner which allows us to develop students and young adults who are confident, goal-oriented and lifelong learners. We are educating our students to leave school with more than skills or knowledge to gain a job. Instead, we are empowering them to dream about the future, a future where they can be more than a blue collar or white collar worker, but a future as an employer, the owner of business where they will be employing other persons. A lifelong learner has the vision to adapt to changes and be open minded to different cultures and beliefs but still able to hold fast to the principles engrafted in them by their parents and teachers. This is our theme for this Education Week “Quality Education for Lifelong Learners” which is so fitting for this era.
Remember, this is a partnership between Government, teachers, parents and students. Each person must play their role in developing lifelong learners. I want all parents to be real partners in education with their children’s teachers, from cradle to career. In this partnership, students and parents should feel connected and teachers should feel supported. When parents demand change and better options for their children, they become the real accountability backstop for the educational system. However, we cannot set objectives without equipping the stakeholders with the tools to achieve them. As Minister of Education, I am committed to provide the necessary resources needed to not just deliver a quality education, but to send lifelong learners into the global village.
Nelson Mandela wrote that “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” As Minister of Education, I am dedicated to the promise of my government and ministry officials to provide quality education for every learner. All children deserve to be given access to quality education without any compromises. We were able to put children back in the classrooms, during this country’s most challenging times because it is our obligation to prepare our children to change the world.
It is my pleasure to address you all and officially proclaim Education Week 2018. I hereby declare “Education Week open”.
Thank you and God bless the Turks and Caicos Islands.
