Prime Minister Perry Christie encouraged teachers to continue the “awesome work” that they do as they celebrated World Teacher’s Day on Friday.

“Under the 2012 motto “Take a stand for teachers,” I echo the sentiments of Irina Bokova, Director General of UNESCO that ‘Teachers… ultimately determine our collective ability to innovate, to invent, to find solutions for tomorrow.’ Nothing will ever replace a good teacher. Nothing is more important than supporting them,” he said in a statement.

“My government took a stand for teachers when in 2006 we signed the historic and first collective bargaining agreement with the Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT) after 41 years of recognition. We remain committed to working with the BUT to removing all obstacles and providing all the necessary support to ensure that our teachers have the best resources available to ensure that our children realise their fullest scholastic potential and human development.”

The prime minister reiterated his government’s commitment to doubling the nation’s investment in education and training with more and better educational opportunities for all Bahamians.

He said this will affect the smallest preschoolers, graduate students to workers who need retraining to update their skills.

“My government and I believe it is critical to invest in young Bahamians, to give them the opportunity for real skills training and the best technology,” Mr. Christie said.

“Our educators are the principal conduits through which this vision will come to fruition.”
Minister of Labour Shane Gibson shared similar sentiments.

“As Minister of Labour and National Insurance, I would like to thank Bahamian teachers for their untiring commitment to developing our future leaders,” he said.

“As a former trade union leader, I also salute the solidarity of The Bahamas Union of Teachers as it strives to enhance the welfare of its members. This year’s theme ‘Take a stand for teachers’ calls on all of us to pause and reflect on the invaluable service that teachers render to our country.”   

Mr. Gibson said his ministry joins with international organisations as UNESCO, the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the UNDP, UNICEF, and Education International (EI) in celebrating such an important day. 

There are over 4,000 teachers employed in the public school system.