Encouraging the Recruitment of Teachers into Initial Teacher Education in the Cayman Islands: A Synergy of Local and International Research

Paper presented at the official launch andtraining institutions operate.
mini-conference of the Journal of the University3. Develop policies on the process of recruitment
College of the Cayman Islands. (JUCCI) Thursdayinto ITET and on the promotion of teaching and
October 16th 2008the identification of appropriate target populations
Good evening ladies and gentlemen. for recruitment.
The need to recruit teachers into Initial Teacher4. Offer a competitive and internationally
Education and Training (ITET) is a worldwiderecognized bachelor’s programme in
occurrence. However, for the Caribbean region,education. (this is happening right now at the
the challenge is made worse when looked at inUniversity College)
light of the fact that trained Caribbean teachers5. Develop a clearly articulated alternative
are being recruited to serve in other countries andparadigm for career structure and its underlying
regions.values in the Cayman Islands, coupled with efforts
Mike Baker, the British Broadcastingto improve the economic status of teachers. 
Cooperation’s (BBC) education correspondentMorris and Williamson (1989) reveal that in Japan
in his 2002 article entitled United Kingdomand Taiwan, among other countries, where
‘poaching’ Jamaican teachers, pointed outteaching is thought of as extremely important,
that between 2001 and 2002 six hundredteachers are relatively well compensated hence
teachers (600) left the island to work abroad,teaching is viewed as a relatively well-paying job,
mostly in the United States and  the Unitedthe supply of new teachers is high and there is a
Kingdom. During that same period, the Unitedlow level of attrition. The writers go on to state
Kingdom government issued six thousands (6,000)that additionally those countries place high value
work permits to teachers from outside theon their peoples remaining in a profession or a
European Community.post for the duration of an entire career.
The global demands for teachers including thoseSo my point is, what is required, (in addition to
from the Caribbean, offers the region both amarketing strategies and advertising campaigns),
challenge and an opportunity. A challenge in thatis a paradigm shift or change in the way we think
new teachers need to be attracted, recruited,about teaching,  not just for the Cayman Islands
educated and trained and an opportunity, in that,but for the Caribbean region.
trained teachers who seek economic6. Enable ITET programmes to be framed in a
independence can achieve it by practicing theirreflective model of teaching which encourages the
craft in an economically buoyant community.development of skills and knowledge in content
While there are many strategies for encouragingareas, professional studies, and practical teaching,
the recruitment of persons into ITET, given thegrounded in the real world of the school and
social, cultural, political and educational context ofclassroom.This model of teaching presently guides
each Caribbean state and, in particular thethe teacher education and training department
Cayman Islands, it is not easy to discern what willhere at the University College of the Cayman
and will not work. Therefore, the contribution ofIslands.
the paper I have written and published in theFor more details, please consult  my article
Journal of the University College of the Caymanentitled “Encouraging the Recruitment of
Island, is an analysis of relevant recommendationsTeachers into Initial Teacher Education and
resulting from research, which sought to addressTraining (ITET) in the  Cayman Islands published
the problems of teacher recruitment not only inin the  Journal of the University College of the
the Cayman Islands, but also in the CaribbeanCayman Islands Volume 2 August 2008, pp.65-78.
region.Copies of the journal are on sale at the main
In that published work, recommendations andentrance to the auditorium.
results of two studies were analyzed; the 2006Thank you, the floor is now open for questions
Organisation of American States Sub-Regionand discussion.
Consultant Study Report concerned with the 
challenges of improving the quality of teacherReference
education, recruitment and selection, initialBaker, M. (2002). UK “poaching” Jamaican
education and training, professional developmentteachers. BBC education correspondent, British
and evaluation of teachers in countries of theBroadcasting Corporation (BBC), 15 March 2002.
Caribbean. And, the 2001 report of the(accessed 2 October 2007).
committee set up to examine the conditionsMcLean, G. (2001). The report of the committee
relating to the recruitment of Caymanians into theto examine the conditions relating to the
teaching profession.recruitment of Caymanians into the teaching
What are specific ways of encouraging theprofession. Ministry of Education, Human   
recruitment of teachers into ITET in the CaymanResources and Culture. Cayman Islands. 29th June.
Islands? Some thoughts follow. There is the needMark, P. (2006). Organization of American State
to:Hemispheric Project Draft Harmonized Policy for
1. Undertake innovative and strategic approachesTeacher Education (Summary Document)
to policy development in the area of ITET. PoliciesCaribbean Sub-Region Consultant Report
are needed that would direct actions and guide(Unpublished).
innovations, thus boosting people’s trust in theMorris, P., and J. Williamson. (1998). Teacher
process and product of ITET.education in the Asia-Pacific region: A 
2. Formulate policies to address the nature andcomparative analysis. Asia-Pacific Journal of
kinds of academic qualifications offered and theTeacher Education and Development 1: 17–27.
standards at which local teacher education and