Under the theme, Quality teachers for Quality Education: Better working conditions for A Brighter Future” The Anguilla Teachers’ Union Joins teachers around the world to recognize the efforts made by teachers. To celebrate our efforts, World Teachers’ Day is celebrated annually in most countries around the world on October 5th.

Henry Brooks Adams once wrote that a teacher affects eternity because he can never tell where his influence stops. We believe that every child deserves a high-qualified teacher. Qualified teachers are those who are well equipped for the classroom.

At all levels of education, teachers are at the very heart of the efforts made to establish the common foundations for the acquisition of skills, knowledge, and lifelong learning. In so many respects, the future of the world is in the hands of teachers.

The responsibilities entrusted to a teacher then are great and their efforts in fulfilling that responsibility should not be forgotten nor should they be ignored.

I would like to say thank you to all my teachers. Your efforts and contributions will always be remembered. Teachers, our job is timeless, our work will be remembered for years and go beyond the walls of the classroom. It is our duty to work hard to produce the best results using the resources at our disposal. And for that hard work I want to say I appreciate your efforts. Thank you. We call upon government to recognize the pivotal role that we play by taking heed to the recommendations made by UNESCO in a 1966 report, on the status of teachers. Section 114 of this document says that
“Amongst the various factors which affect the status of teachers, [is their] salary. ” (p 12)

The document reinforces in section 115 that
“Teachers' salaries should:
(a) reflect the importance to society of the teaching function and hence the importance of teachers as well as the responsibilities of all kinds which fall upon them from the time of their entry into the service ;
(b) compare favourably with salaries paid in other occupations requiring similar or equivalent qualifications;
(c) provide teachers with the means to ensure a reasonable standard of living for themselves and their families as well as to invest in further education or in the pursuit of cultural activities, thus enhancing their professional qualification ;
(d) take account of the fact that certain posts require higher qualifications and experience and carry greater responsibilities.

This document provides much insight to solving problems in education. Individuals should take some time to read the full report which continues to address such issues as teacher social security and teacher shortage. The full text of the report can be found at the UNESCO’s website.

Teacher attrition and shortage continues to be a growing dilemma in Anguilla. Our qualified, trained teachers are leaving. We as educators must come up with reasonable ways to keep our trained teachers in the classroom. Let us work together to come up with a viable solution. We believe that the proper implementation of a teaching service commission in Anguilla can be profitable and we have put forward a recommendation to the Minister.

Anguilla is known for its crystal clear waters, hospitable people and first class hotels. Let us mirror that level of service in the classroom. We believe that our classrooms should be a safe and clean place for students to learn. In this time and age we should not have to be working in rooms infested with bat droppings. This is a big NO NO! This has got to be addressed before it escalates into a greater problem. We put our students and ourselves at risk when we expose ourselves to such unhealthy situations. At some of our schools there is lack of space for vital services such as ESL and Counselling; many teachers arrive to work in untidy classrooms and have to spend much time cleaning before they teach; many classes are overcrowded; charging teachers of foreign nationalities exorbitant immigration fees when we are in dire need of their service. These conditions need to be addressed because it influences the quality of education we offer to students.

We will continue to condemn all acts of school violence and the disregard of school authority to reprimand students. We ask members of the community to allow the normal course of law to prevail. We stand firm that such attitude towards school operation will not be tolerated as it poses a threat to the safety of the students and staff members as well.

We call upon community members to support us as we echo Education International call for better working conditions because indeed, “Better working conditions for teachers mean better learning conditions for learners.”


Thank your for listening and we look forward to your full support to Teachers Week 2007. To all teachers I wish you a happy teachers’ Week.