Governor-General His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen has urged teachers to make their classrooms an ‘Ubi Semper Discimus’ setting where students can understand that learning never ends, and take that principle with them for the rest of their lives. In this way, teachers would have broadened their students’ horizons about the endless possibilities embedded within the world of learning.
The Governor-General’s remarks came as he delivered the Patron’s Message at the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) Roll of Honour Awards Ceremony at the Wyndham Hotel on Thursday (Feb. 3).
Sir Patrick noted that Jamaican teachers have done a remarkable job with the limited resources at their disposal, to produce world class scholars and athletes, even though there are areas in need of improvement. “Our youngsters compete with the best of the world. That is the result of the teaching and coaching they get from their teachers,” the Governor-General said.
Learning never ends:
He said the values and principles of integrity, excellence in performance, and sound professional conduct which are lauded by the Roll of Honour Award, are those which teachers must transmit to their students, even as they engage them and make them excited about learning.
The Governor-General observed that the 17-year partnership between the JTA and Berger Paints Jamaica which has sponsored the award since 1992, confirmed his belief that, “…despite our challenges and our differences, we can work together and use what is right with Jamaica to fix what is wrong with Jamaica.”
Retired Chief Education Officer Wesley Barrett is the recipient of the 2010 Roll of Honour Award for his leadership role in the field of education.
Contact: Maxine Francis