The Tribune

THE Ministry of Education believes teachers are “the lamps that light our way along the path of knowledge”, acting deputy director Ross Smith said.

Mr Smith was delivering the speech of Minister of Education, Science and Technology Jerome Fitzgerald at the 10th National Teacher of the Year Awards ceremony at the Sheraton Resort on Cable Beach.

Nadia Smith, who teaches at the CC Sweeting Senior High School, was named as the teacher of the year.

The theme was “Celebrating outstanding educators, rewarding excellence”.

“Honorees, you are in a place where you can inspire excellence in the lives of both your students and colleagues,” Mr Smith said. “As Thomas Fuller once said, if you have knowledge, let others light their candles at it.

“It will benefit the whole country. After all, teachers are nation builders who help to weave the fabric of our society for the better. You play a major role in equipping our future leaders.”

According to the minister’s speech, children need role models more than they do critics, so the character of teachers is of the utmost importance.

In recent times, the character of some public school teachers has come into question, but the record of the 32 honorees for this year are proof that teachers are still worthy of respect, Mr Smith read.