A BARBADOS SCHOOL-OF-THE-YEAR AWARD may be on the horizon.

Acting Minister of Education Cynthia Forde, speaking at the Clico/Nation Barbados Teachers' Awards 2007 at Frank Collymore Hall on Saturday night, said the Ministry of Education was working on the standards for schools to determine how they would be selected.

Forde said she was pleased to see the increase in semi-finalists and commended the companies which continued to support the initiative.

She also highlighted the good work being done by the Audio/Visual Aids Department for the awards and the jingle produced for Education Month.

She said much more would be offered to schools and teachers.

"We are in the process of applying for a licence so that we will be able to broadcast programmes to all our schools. Teachers will also have access to the van's mobile studios to record and showcase productions," said Forde.

Meanwhile, Acting Chief Education Officer Idamay Denny in her welcome address said the value of teachers in a small developing state like Barbados could not be overstated.

Geoffrey Brewster, president of sponsor Clico International Life Insurance Limited, said teachers were the greatest single influence on this country's most precious resource, its children.

He said his company would continue to support the administration of the awards, and asked that the awardees give more than academic knowledge to their students and therefore lead by example.

"I urge all teachers to reject mediocrity in the schools. The levels of indiscipline and under-performance among our youth are increasing rapidly and in my opinion have reached an unacceptable level," he said.

The Teacher-Of-The-Year 2005, Juanita Wade, in handing over the baton to the present winner Leslie Lett, said it was "an honour beyond my dreams" and told the finalists to strive to be the best.

The awardees and guests were also entertained by the Christ Church Boys Choir, the Barbados Youth Orchestra, the Livvy And Betty Alleyne Ballroom Dance Centre, and the Schools' Steel Orchestra. (WB)