Nine senior members of the teaching fraternity received certificates of completion for the “Effective Principals’ Licensure Programme” during a small ceremony held last week, making them the second cohort to receive this recognition.

The certification programme is an initiative of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture along with the National College of Educational Leadership (NCEL) from Jamaica.

The programme, which is aligned with the Ministry’s Education Quality Improvement Strategy, originated in 2014 for the purpose of improving the quality and accountability of leadership and management across all public schools in the Territory.  

During the award ceremony, the then Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley, speaking on behalf of the Minister for Education who was on duty travel, commended the Minister for Education for ensuring that other senior teachers and principals benefited from a second cohort.

He further advised teachers to fulfill their mandate as teachers. In expressing appreciation for their roles, he said, “I thank you for being teachers and for doing it for long periods of time and for also responding to the call of duty wherever it was necessary to go.  This shows love and commitment to the job of teaching”.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Mrs. Carolyn Stoutt Igwe congratulated the new cadre of educational leaders for achieving the milestone and assured them that the sacrifice was worthwhile.

She said, “I know that all of you are better equipped now; you are transformational leaders, as you’re bringing about changes in your environments.  I further encourage you to continue, as teachers, to play an integral role in the transformation of the lives of students wherever you go.”   

Meanwhile, Director of the National College of Educational Leadership, Dr. Taneisha Ingleton gave high commendations to the Territory’s participants of the NCEL programme, and expressed satisfaction for the partnership between both countries.

She said, “The partnership with the British Virgin Islands has been the best.  You have a different kind of approach to school leadership, you are serious about it, and whenever facilitators come to the Virgin Islands they always make mention of this fact.  Since you are this serious and committed we have no doubt that you are going to take over the Caribbean.”

The honourees included Tonya Bertie, Lavern Blyden, Vanessa Garraway, Tamika George, Sybil Hodge, Keshia King, Jacqueline Nibbs-Foster, Willis Potter and Kayron Todman. Tamika George was the one candidate who exceeded expectations while the other eight candidates met expectations.

In April 2016, 19 candidates from Cohort I were awarded their licences.