Primary and secondary school head teachers are following a three-day training session to improve and strengthen their skills so they can better manage and lead their schools.
The training taking place at the ex-Aldec hall at the Ministry of Education was launched yesterday morning by the principal secretary for early childhood, primary and secondary education, Merida Delcy.
Two education consultants from Ireland are leading the training – Triona Barret, education development officer for Loreto schools in Ireland and Brian O’Doherty, the principal of St Patrick’s Loreto primary school, Bray Co Wicklow also in Ireland.
Mr O’Doherty is not on his first visit here. As one of the authors of mathematics text books ‘Cracking Maths’, in October 2014 he conducted training for maths teachers here before the text books were introduced in May last year.
The training falls in the context of the education sector Medium-Term Strategic (MTS) Plan 2013-2017 and beyond and it is also in line with one strategy activity which places emphasis on the need for head teachers to consistently monitor teaching and learning.
“Head teachers are equipped with the necessary qualifications but there is always the need for further professional development,” Cyril Pillay, the director for primary schools, said in introductory remarks.
He added that through the three-day training the head teachers will hone their skills to be more effective in carrying out their responsibilities.
Also present at the opening session of the training was Dr John Nolan, special advisor on Education matters who helped realise the MTS.
Mrs Delcy noted that the consultants have vast knowledge and expertise in school leadership, governance and management which they would impart to the head teachers over the three days.
She called on them to make the most of the training.
She noted that knowledge of leadership alone no longer suffices, adding that through the training sessions they would be able to review and reflect on the existing structures and functions of school leadership and it will be also an opportunity to share best practices in school leadership, learn from each other, draw from a wide range of ideas and insights to enhance their own practices.