President France Albert Rene has renewed his government’s commitment to support teachers in order to enhance their effectiveness. 

"Wherever possible, we will go even further and intensify our effort to ensure that we achieve our goal of providing the highest quality of education to our children and youth with the resources that are available to us," President Rene says in his message on the occasion of Teachers' Day 2003. 

In his message President Rene notes that this year's theme for the occasion – "Supporting Teachers for Quality Education" – is a sincere acknowledgement of the fact that teachers cannot embark on this mission alone and that they are in need of more support from all stakeholders, in order to cope effectively with their professional responsibilities and adapt to the increasing demands being placed upon them as a result of both local and global socio-economic, political, cultural, as well as educational factors. 

"Indeed, if we wish to enhance the status of the teaching profession as a whole, we need to start by improving the image of teachers and teaching," says President Rene.

"As part of our overall pursuit of excellence in the quality of education provided to our citizens, it has always been my Government’s practice to invest heavily in both pre-service and in-service teacher education.  In addition, we have always been and continue to be strongly committed to improving our teachers’ immediate working environment and to progressively offer better remuneration packages and career prospects. 

"As a Government, we have supported teachers and their work in our ongoing endeavor to provide them with the resources, equipment and materials necessary for their work."

To conclude, President Rene congratulates all teachers for their commitment and hard work, reminding them that their motivation, determination and perseverance, in the face of all the challenges and pressures they have to endure, are really appreciated.

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