As a student at
Church Teachers’ College: Mandeville, I wish to use this medium to show my
deepest appreciation that the college had overcome various milestones and is
now celebrating its 50th anniversary under the theme, “Church
Teachers College, celebrating fifty years of excellence, repositioning for the
future.” Indeed, the college had made a significant contribution to education,
producing teachers who are of high quality and who demonstrate professionalism
to the highest degree.
The college has a vibrant history, one that I wish to share
with members of the public who may not know. The College began in September
1965 as Mandeville Teachers' College, with 75 students, twenty-four of whom were
men. The institution was established with the blessing and authority of
the Rt. Rev. Percival Gibson, then Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of
Jamaica. The moving figure to obtain the facilities for a College of
Education in Mandeville at that time was the Rt. Rev. Benjamin Vaughan, Bishop
of Mandeville. He was the
first chairman of the Board of Management, and he ensured that benefactors like
the Kerr Jarrett family, Dr. Herbert Morrison and the Ministry of Education
were convinced of the value of the College to the community and the island in
general. Bishop Vaughan remained a faithful friend and benefactor of the
College until his death in 2003.
Over the last 40 years, the College has achieved high academic honours. It has won awards for its performance in Mathematics, English and other subject areas in the final JBTE examinations. It has produced J.J. Mills scholars, and graduates who have proceeded to excel in higher University Degrees and work in Universities in Jamaica, Canada, the United States of America, the United Kingdom and elsewhere. A number of outstanding past students have been appointed Principals of schools and are performing very well. A number of others have become ministers of religion, lawyers, etc., and hold very responsible positions in Jamaica and the wider world.
Perhaps the most outstanding achievement of the College has
been in its development of human resources and scholars with a love for
community Service. As early as 1967 when schools in Portland and Hanover
were closed for the lack of teachers, graduating students from Church Teachers'
College: Mandeville volunteered to re-open closed schools and so provide hope
for those bereft communities. Over the years, through its clubs and
societies, and through its Physical Education Department, the College has
continued to offer assistance to Children's Homes, the mentally and physically
challenged, and schools which need help to organize and run sporting events.
Over the course of the year, the college will host a number
of events. This Monday September 29 2014, the college was on Smile Jamaica TVJ. On October 1,
the college had a media launch and a parade in the town of Mandeville. On
October 5, the college had its commencement service and the launch of its
50th anniversary year of activities. Kudos to a very gifted,
dedicated and talented Academic Staff, and a co-operative Administrative and
Ancillary Staff, continue on the path of service.
