Teachers urged to get vaccinated

With less than half the teaching population still to be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus, one senior education official is appealing to her colleagues in training to take the jab.

At the same time, Chairman of the Board of Management of the Erdiston Teachers’ Training College Dr Sylvia Henry has warned individuals studying at the institution against entering the profession because of any associated perks.

She was speaking Friday during the Erdiston Teachers’ Training College orientation ceremony for the 2021/2022 academic year.

Henry said while the college was not in a position to force teachers to take the COVID-19 vaccine and Barbados was not at a stage where parents were concerned about teachers being vaccinated, she was still encouraging them to take the jab.

“Teachers in waiting, you will be called to work or learn in an environment that requires you to be vigilant regarding your health and safety. That is, if you are in a face-to-face environment. I encourage you to exercise safe practices. But do not let fear cripple your ability to function as a great teacher or brave learner,” she said.

“I also say to you that if you are so minded, we cannot compel you, I urge you to take the vaccine. We are not at that point as in some countries where parents have been expressing that they do not want their children to be taught by unvaccinated teachers. Barbados has not had to face that yet,” she said.

Pointing out that for many years teachers and other childcare professionals have been getting vaccinated to prevent the spread of illnesses, Dr Henry said: “As we re-open our physical doors and we are doing so slowly and cautiously, we in education are frontline workers. Consider it as a vital part of self care if you have not done so yet,” said Henry.

Up to the end of March this year, some 2,300 teachers were inoculated against the COVID-19 virus representing just over 65 per cent of the estimated 3,500 teachers in the public school system at the pre-primary, primary, special education and secondary school levels.

Henry told the online gathering of continuing and new students that they should be prepared to face a “bold and new world” of teaching as they enter the profession at a time when the entire education system has been disrupted by the pandemic.

“You cannot afford to approach teaching with the same mindset that you had years ago when you first dreamt of becoming a teacher. We all need to re-imagine teaching and learning and it will entail very bold, new rules,” said Henry.

“While I welcome you today to this profession, I challenge you if you are not prepared to face this bold, new world of education, I urge you to rethink your career choice. Teaching is not a job you go to every day between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. or 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. It is not a job to be chosen because of its attractive vacation periods. Teaching is a profession, a very serious profession,” she added.

She insisted that total commitment was needed from teachers. “We need teachers who will not hesitate to go beyond the call of duty for example, to assist the Ministry of Education with its learning recovery strategy even if it means a sacrifice on their part.

“So participants, if you are not willing or if you cannot offer that level of commitment as we re-imagine teaching and learning, maybe you should rethink your career choice,” she warned.
(marlonmadden@barbadostoday.bb)