By Floyd French
Observer Reporter
(Basseterre, St. Kitts) – The hard work and dedication of teachers go unnoticed not by ordinary citizens, but also among those who serve in the profession. General-Secretary of the St. Kitts Teachers Union (SKTU), Mrs. Carlene Henry-Morton says the Union is rebounding from a number of vacancies within the Executive Body created by members who have left the teaching profession.
“The aim was to bring in new people so there is some continuity so that when people leave we have people who understand and you could slot them much more easily.”
The SKTU held a General Meeting on May 14 to temporarily fill key executive positions. Ms. Michelle Jacobs, a teacher at the Special Education Unit is now serving as Vice President; Mr. Kelvin Johnson, a teacher at Washington Archibald High, is serving as 2nd Vice President and Ms. Novella Williams of the Sandy Point High is the new Assistant General-Secretary.
Over the years, the SKTU has traditionally held its Biennial General Meeting during the Easter break in order to elect its Executive Body which serves for two years. Such a meeting was due this year, but the Union found it difficult to get teachers interested in running for the offices.
Mrs. Morton said that the election of the Executive will now take place in October during Teachers Weeks. The SKTU hopes that while teachers celebrate World Teachers Day and the days of activities which make it essentially a Teachers’ Week of Activities they will participate more in the election process.
A new thrust of the SKTU is part and parcel of the underlying theme of May 14 General Meeting: “Strengthening capacity building, grooming people for executive positions.” The skeleton Executive Body which organised that meeting sent out letters of special invitation a week earlier to teachers who have given their time and expertise to teacher trade unionism over the years. It was from this core group, Mrs. Morton said, the interim personnel were chosen.
“We invited persons from different schools who over the years have shown an interest; they are not necessarily school reps but some of them have acted like school reps for us. We sent out letters inviting them so we can sit and talk about what they would like to see, be our ears and eyes on the ground,” said Mrs. Morton.
The new thrust will try to broaden and deepen the pool from which future leaders of the SKTU emerge. Special attention will be paid to strengthening the Status of Women Committee, which is a standing committee in teachers unions throughout the region and world.
Similarly, the Union plans to organise training workshops for teachers interested in labour and union matters. Mrs. Morton said these initiatives would ensure future union leaders represent the SKTU regionally and internationally with distinction.
Also, the SKTU hopes to negotiate greater participation in the induction course for new recruits with the Ministry of Education. Mrs. Morton would also like to see a teacher-buddy programme in which senior teachers mentor new teachers and guide their daily tasks.
In total, the new thrust is geared at professional development for teachers, whether in labour matters or teaching content or personal aptitudes which make good teachers. Mrs. Morton sees professional development as key to the longevity of teachers in the service and the existence of the SKTU.
