THE Status of Women Committee of the Caribbean Union of Teachers (CUT) yesterday hosted their 36th Biennial Women’s conference at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.
This event is a part of the programme of activities for the 36th Biennial Caribbean Union of Teachers Conference being hosted in Guyana from August 4-9, 2013 under the theme “Improving the professional status of teachers in the Caribbean” with participants from 24 Caribbean territories.
The women’s conference was held to discuss various issues affecting women in the Caribbean and to reflect on the achievements of the Status of Women Committee while crafting new strategies and activities.
Delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony of the conference, Human Service and Social Security Minister, Jennifer Webster pointed out that the teaching profession has become one which is dominated by women and this is an indicator that women are taking up leadership positions at all levels of society.
Driving Change
Noting that teachers are the best persons to drive change in the education system and set higher standards more than ever before, she stated that teachers are uniquely placed since in many cases they spend more hours with children than their caregivers and parents.
“It is you, our teachers who assist parents to instill values in our children and cultivate the moral fabric of our society. We must endeavour to work together to achieve gender equality in our respective societies,” she stated.
Meanwhile, Webster saluted teachers and all members of the teaching profession in Guyana and throughout the Caribbean for their commendable work and dedicated service which has had a significant impact on every profession and trade.
Making reference to the theme of the CUT conference, she pointed out that is quite a profound topic and over the next few days they will deliberate on many issues of concern to all of them.
According to her, even the best curriculum and the most perfect syllabus would remain null without suitable teaching methods and good teachers.
She also maintained that a nation cannot afford to leave its future leaders in the hands of incompetent teachers and in this regard, governments across the Caribbean have been investing heavily in teachers’ training and development.
Webster highlighted that women are the backbone of every society and persons must recognise the struggles of past leaders who had over many decades fought and struggled to end discrimination and to ensure that the rights of women are upheld.
The Human Services Minster indicated that at the level of the international bodies, women’s rights are becoming more dominant and greater emphasis is being placed to ensure that women enjoy equal rights.
Addressing members of the teaching profession, Webster said that they need to embrace rather than shun technology in moulding the minds of the younger generation, since they need to be innovative in capturing students’ attention for the curriculum to remain relevant.
Curriculum Delivery via ICT
Highlighting that many students are versed in the use of technology through various mechanisms, she remarked that teachers must, therefore, recognise the need for developing and delivering the curriculum through the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
Webster stated that she is concerned about reports of teachers who abuse students and acknowledged that Education Minister, Priya Manickchand has taken a stand on this issue.
“This is a human tragedy and you are entrusted with the responsibility to protect, love and nurture our children and therefore you should ensure that our children are not abused. Similarly we must teach them not to abuse each other,” she declared.
She expressed hope that during the deliberations of the CUT conference there would be some pragmatic solutions to the problem of violence in schools, and urged them to address the role of the women since they are the ones who inculcate culture, ethics and the values in other members of the family, especially the children
Webster commended the organisers of the women’s conference, particularly the Status of Women Committee, for hosting the event and extended a warm welcome from the President, Government and people of Guyana to those visiting Guyana for the conference.
Meanwhile, also making remarks at the opening of the conference, CUT President, Mr. Marvin Andall stated that despite the tremendous challenges faced by the Status of Women Committee, they have still managed to achieve a lot.
Pointing out that they have recognised that the committee is not a grand bashing ceremony against men as they would have preconceived, but in fact the issues that the women were dealing with had to do with justice, equality and human rights.
Andall urged the committee to continue their work despite the challenges they face and he expressed the hope that they can overcome them, since no union can function effectively without the hard work of its women.
He noted, however, that real production occurs when men and women work together, and they have recognized that while they organise sporting events for males, they do not do the same for female teachers, and the time has come for this to change.
Those present at the women’s conference included Education Minister Priya Manickchand, Chairperson and members of the Status of Women Committee, Education International, representatives of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) and teachers unions from across the Caribbean, as well as representatives from the Police Wives Association and Women’s Affairs Bureau.