Clifton Hunter to open in March says minister

(CNS): The education minister said last week that the first of the new government high schools will finally open in March 2012 in the middle of this school year. After years of controversy, contract disputes and political rhetoric the first of the state of the art schools envisioned by the previous minister will should be operational before Easter. Rolston Anglin said once the school has been completed, the ministry will liaise with teachers and parents to plan the move with minimum disruption to students. The Clifton Hunter is one of two new secondary schools that became a political football between the government and opposition the second is the new John Gray campus has since been put on hold.

At present pupils who will attend the new campus are already divided from those students attending John Gray High School and are currently using the George Hicks site which will eventually become a technical school.

Speaking at the orientation session for the new academic year on Friday Anglin outlined his ministry’s priorities. He updated the teachers on the $10million primary school project, which is already underway, and promised much-needed additions and upgrades. He did not mention whether money expected to come from Dartas part of the deal between the developer and government would replace or be in addition to the $10million set aside in the budget for the primary schools revamp.

Challenging teachers to do better,  and offering to continue the support in professional development  he said other strategic aims included a focus on literacy and numeracy, new graduation requirements, a national campaign that celebrates achievement, professional standards for teachers, targets for school achievement and a national strategy to gather education data that will track individual student progress.

The minister also pointed to “employability” which he said would come under the spotlight this year with plans to expand vocational education, strengthen career advice and implement a work readiness programme, Work Keys, in all high schools, the minister revealed.

Meanwhile, the latest new recruits into the teaching profession were taken on “Cultural Caravan” last week when the new teachers took in a tour of the museum, the National Gallery, Pedro St. James and the Nurse Josie Solomon Senior Centre, located beside the Mission House in the heart of Cayman’s first capital, Bodden Town.

The centre is a treasure trove of artefacts, photographs, arts and crafts as well as recreations and depictions that highlight Cayman’s heritage and heroes. The teachers also got to taste traditional Caymanian food and a chance to explore the grounds and examine native plants.

Spearheaded by the National Museum, the programme ensures that the 29 new teachers do not begin functioning in Cayman in a cultural vacuum. The minister said in order for educators to make meaningful contributions in “it is imperative for the teachers to get a good grasp of what makes us Caymanian.”