Thirteen teachers recently received training designed to help them deliver distance education and use information and communications technology during and after the Covid-19 crisis, according to government.
The training was made possible through the United Nations Organisation for Education, Science and Culture Distance Learning and Teacher Training programme.
“The knowledge provided in this programme will aid educators in executing effective and meaningful lessons online with their students,” said Deputy Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley, who is the education minister. “I am pleased that educators are advancing their skillsets and congratulate all 13 educators who received a certificate of completion in the programme.”
Dr. Allison Flax-Archer, secretary-general for the BVI National Commission for UN- ESCO, noted that the pandemic forced teachers to move quickly from a traditional classroom to an online learning environment.
“The UNESCO distance learning training has provided teachers with tools and resources to equip them as they continue to navigate their way through the online learning platform,” she said.“We should always be ready to shift should the need arise.”
The 13 attendees were among 52 master trainers and 12,440 teachers within the Caribbean who have participated in the programme, according to government.
The Lent Term for the 2021-2022 school year started on Jan. 6 through online learning.
Chief Education Officer Dr. Connie George said she too was pleased that teachers took advantage of the course.
“This shows me that our educators are willing to make the sacrifices necessary to ensure that they have the necessary resources and skills to be effective in the classroom and be prepared for the current demands of the teaching and learning process,” she said.
Other teachers are invited to participate in an upcoming training scheduled for August 2022. The course will introduce them to “basic digital skills, re- mote learning methods, and pedagogical use of ICT for teaching as well as equip them with the skills and resources to deliver alternate and appropriate forms of remote learning using no-, low-, and high- tech digital tools,” according to government.