Education and Teacher Training: A Wise Investment

As prepared

I am very pleased to be with you to celebrate an important collaboration between the U.S. and Jamaica and other nations of the region: the inauguration of the Center of Excellence for Teacher Training at the University of the West Indies, Mona.   This is an auspicious day for all who have worked so hard to strengthen education in the Caribbean.  We jointly express our commitment to strengthening a sector that is fundamentally critical to economic and social development in all countries.

Our hemisphere is rich with ideas for educational development.  In this era of globalization, we have a critical and exciting opportunity to commit ourselves to the demanding work of educating every single child among us.  Educators in every nation must have an opportunity to examine and evaluate the best skills, tools, curricula and ideas for teaching —regardless of border or country of origin.

The Centers of Excellence for Teacher Training are an initiative announced by president George W. Bush at the Quebec Summit of the Americas in April 2001.  As many of you know, education is one of the highest priorities of President and Mrs. Bush.   At the Summit of the Americas, President Bush stated:  "We are committed to making education a centerpiece of our economic agenda - because learning and literacy are foundations for development and democracy."   Today, coincidentally the anniversary month of the President's announcement, we move into high gear in making good on that promise.

Indeed, education is acknowledged worldwide as the most decisive factor for national progress.  Deficiencies in educational systems strike hardest at the poor.  This means we all must invest in the betterment of schools and training of teachers, and it is our job to make sure that this investment reaches every sector of society.  As President Bush says: "no child should be left behind."

The United States government joins you in this effort, by committing US$20 million dollars to the three centers of excellence in teacher training in the region - one each in the Caribbean, Central America, and the Andes.  These centers will help to prepare and provide learning materials for teachers - whose instruction methods and training determine the level of success of children in their classrooms. 

It is anticipated that the centers will make three critical contributions:

1)     To strengthen public-private sector educational partnerships;

2)     To improve educational institutions, especially classroom practices at the early grades; and

3)     To promote equity and access in education across the English speaking Caribbean.

Coming from the private sector myself, I am a strong proponent of CETT's model for public-private partnerships in education.  We have all come to recognize that governments cannot, alone, provide and constantly improve the education we want our children to have.  We need the ideas, energy and capacity of the business community, and we need to foster increased synergies between the government, private, and education sectors. 

The CETT is a bold concept:  it is a partnership with a one-to-one match sought from the business community - as we recognize that the private sector has a major stake in the education of tomorrow's workforce.  We have heard business leaders complain that new graduates are not ready for the workplace; that new hires do not have the literacy or skills to be competitive in the global market place.  We need the help of business leaders in identifying gaps so we may educate and train young men and women for their needs.

In the case of the Caribbean, the vision of the cett is shared by Air Jamaica and Illuminat in Barbados.  With these two companies - our partners - we commit to sharing technical assistance, financial resources, and guidance in establishing the cett.  I heartly commend Air Jamaica and illuminat for their support in responding to this challenge to improve the quality of education in the region. 

The second critical element of the CETT is the opportunity to strengthen institutions to improve classroom practices at the early primary grades through techniques such as:

• Offering a training-of-trainers approach to reach more teachers and administrators;
• Providing a clearinghouse of teacher materials, and
• Using information and communications technology to facilitate information sharing between institutions, and to increase teachers' access to training and materials.

I must emphasize that the cett is building on the solid base you already have.  Engaging the independent countries of the English-speaking Caribbean on sharing information, knowledge, and skills, will have a phenomenal impact on classroom development throughout the region. 

I want to congratulate the University of the West Indies and the Joint Boards of Teacher Education throughout the region, who will take the lead role in making sure that teachers representing all of the English-speaking Caribbean can benefit from this initiative. 

We note that Jamaica has produced some of the most outstanding scholars and academics in the world, and we want to assist your efforts in continuing and strengthening this great tradition by reaching children throughout the Caribbean. 

The third critical element that I want to highlight is the opportunity to contribute to promoting equity and access in education.  The CETT will target primary school teachers who serve disadvantaged communities and populations.  Rural and urban poor and especially those in remote areas will have the first opportunities to benefit from the cett program.  The CETT will provide essential training and resources for teachers who are dedicated to helping the young people of such communities and making sure that every child gets the opportunity to learn to read.  To these teachers - - I want you to know in advance, how much we respect what you do.   Your effort, care, and compassion are the keys to the future.   In fact, quoting professor miller speaking recently on values and attitudes: "if you want to see what a society of the future is going to be like, look in the schools.  It either frightens you to death or consoles you, but it is the society of the future."

While the three benefits I have mentioned:  public-private sector partnerships, institutional strengthening and the promotion of equity and access, will be achieved through several program components, it is the human resources -- the parents, the communities, teachers, college and university leaders -- who will really make a difference in the lives of the children of the Caribbean. 

As we embark on this adventure, we applaud the efforts of the assessment team, the design team, and Caribbean stakeholders, including Ministries of Education, Joint Boards of Teacher Education, community groups, non-governmental organizations and parents. 

There is a huge task ahead of you - accompanied by huge opportunity.  We know you will be successful and i want to assure you of the continued support of the United States of America.  We are proud to be a part of this initiative. 

Thank you.