Basseterre: St. Kitts, February 1, 2021: The National Commission for UNESCO announced the approval of funding to assist with the Professionalization of the Teaching Force by way of its Participation Programme.
The submission by focal point for the Professionalization of the Teaching Force Carla Mills Diamond and her team was successful in gaining the support of UNESCO in forwarding the education sector plan.
According to Mrs. Diamond the funding which was provided specifically to establish the operational and regulatory framework for a National Teaching Council comes at a critical time in the process.
The focal point stated that it is time to bring the programme components together including, continuous professional development, career path for teachers as well as monitoring and evaluation tools.
She added that the funding from UNESCO would help to organize the National Teaching Council which would have general oversight of the management of teacher quality and performance in St. Kitts and Nevis.
Secretary-General of the National Commission for UNESCO Dorothy Warner stated that she was heartened by UNESCO’s continued dedication to Education Sector reform generally and the Professionalization of the Teaching Force specifically.
She stated that the first phase comprised the production of an inception report, overarching policy framework, action plan and work plan.
She added that the second phase will result in operational guidelines for the establishment of the National Teaching Council. This Warner stated will require the involvement of committee members with the consultant as they tool themselves to be able to set up professional standards for the teaching force.
Submission for cabinet approval will follow the work of the committee Mrs Warner highlighted, emphasizing that this funding by UNESCO would redound to the improvement of the standard of teaching in the Federation.