The theme of World Teachers’ Day 2023 is ‘The teachers we need for the education we want: the global imperative to reverse the teacher shortage’. There are 93.7 million teachers worldwideapproximately 16,000 teachers in Trinidad and Tobago-from early childhood to tertiary level. Teachers help prepare our children for the future. They do not just teach them to read and write, they teach them to think smart, cooperate, solve conflict, appreciate our diversity, and respect every one’s human rights.

Teachers, are integral to helping our young people tackle the big 21st century problemsconflict, climate change, sustainable energy, artificial intelligence, natural disasters, and the challenges and opportunities of a global world. The present transformation of the education system is impossible if teachers are not well equipped for their job.

There are many professionally trained teachers, graduates of our major universities, who are not yet hired or who have not been placed in positions commensurate with their qualifications.

These young people have the potential to address the aspirations of our vulnerable and marginalised students.

The Ministry of Education has acknowledged in its new education policy the many challenges within our system that must be addressed. These include attention to the student services division which caters to the needs of our special students, an efficient substitute teacher system, an increase in technical-vocational education, and a student centred approach to teaching and learning. Student-centred teaching places the child rather than an exam at the centre of the teaching- learning process and has the capacity to engage and support a wide range of learners in any classroom. These objectives cannot be fulfilled without highqua lity personnel.

To do so, the profession must have conditions which attract our bright young people, as well as those mature persons who have a calling to the profession.

For teaching to attract dedicated professionals, there must be a commitment to continuing teacher education, opportunities for mentorship and job security.

On this day, we do not just appreciate the work of teachers but the rights of teachers to decent pay, good working conditions, and excellent professional education.

Without this support, Trinidad and Tobago will not be able to attract the high-quality workers needed for this demanding profession.

The Trinidad and Tobago Association of Teacher Educators (TTATE) recognises the importance of teachers’ work and calls on the State and all parties to fully support their professional demands, including the desire for decent jobs. Trinidad and Tobago needs all its teachers, along with qualified, competent teacher educators, if we are to transform our education system.

TTATE wishes all teachers, from those who teach our youngest children to our senior citizens, Happy World Teachers’ Day 2023.

Dr Rowena Kalloo
President, TTATE