Coaches, physical education teachers plan the way forward

By Morissa Lindsay

Physical education teachers across the primary and secondary schools as well as National Sports Council coaches all came together for what was deemed an important bonding session as the Ministry of Education looks to cement a stronger relationship with its key stakeholders.

Addressing teachers this morning from across the primary and secondary schools at the Lester Vaughan Secondary School at Cane Garden, St. Thomas on Teachers’ Professional Day, Peripatetic teacher in the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training, Janelle Denny, said that in an effort to improve physical education and sports participation, looking at the existing curriculum was among the ministry’s focus.

“As it relates to the changes that are coming within the educational system in general, obviously looking at the curriculum is one of the areas that is important to move forward because our strategic plan going forward is to make sure that we make global citizens and that they reach world standards. As it relates to physical education and sports participation, you know full well the opportunities that lie within the realm of the sporting community in terms of its relevance to the job.

“It is a case where we have to make sure we look at the syllabus from the nursery up until that fourth form to make sure that we are engaging in activities that are going to shape the type of students that can make that transition. So, what we are doing here today is getting a general survey of the persons that are here. But we have already a curriculum
panel that is going to be looking at both the primary and secondary syllabus,” Denny explained.

She added: “Of course we will come back to the general body after we have made the necessary changes from what they would have put forward and we are hoping to have that finished by the end of the school year. But if it has to extend beyond that we will do, what we have to do to make sure that what we create is what we want.”

As she stressed the importance of teachers and coaches, Denny expressed that the Ministry of Education is key on engaging key stakeholders. “We are looking at engaging key stakeholders as well in terms of being able to help the ministry move forward its program as it relates to physical education and sport and healthy lifestyle within the school system as much as possible. The National Sports Council is one of those stakeholders and as we said today, we are looking to strengthen all of the relations that are going to help the ministry,” Denny said.

During his remarks, Director of the National Sports Council (NSC), Neil Murrell, used the example of World Champion gold medalist Ryan Brathwaite to make the point that he was identified from within the Lester Vaughan Secondary School system and went on to bring great recognition to Barbados.

Murrell encouraged the teachers and coaches to start pushing the needle and identify the next talent within their schools, similarly to what Alwyn Babb did when he sought out Brathwaite who went on to not only win 110m hurdles gold in 2009 at the World Championship but also clocked a national record of 13.14 seconds.

“You physical education teachers, you coaches, you know that there are more Ryan Brathwaite’s around at each and every school; you see them every day, you interact with them. They need encouragement towards championship status. You as physical education teachers and coaches are major influences in the lives of young people.

“I believe that the work we are going to commit to today and in the future, I believe that we too can have more world champions and a healthier Barbados but it is up to us here. Don’t let them tell you that we are making sport at sports; when they say you are making sport at sports, it means that I am making sport at sports, it means that you are making sport at sports. So, once you plan, strategize and implement, I know that we can do it,” Murrell said.

Acting Assistant Director of the NSC, Adrian Donovan, stated that both organizations are constantly working together especially in the area of sports. Today he said it was a historic occasion where everyone would learn and have fun in a stress-free environment.

He specifically identified retired PE teacher Anthony Headley who was in attendance as the longstanding physical education teacher for over three decades at the Alleyne Secondary. In recognition Donovan instigated all to stand while he spoke about Headley who he described as a wonderful man. morissalindsay@barbadostoday.bb