DAT President says early childhood teachers deserve better salaries and improved training, stressing their vital role in children's development.
Dominica: The President of the Dominica Association of Teachers (DAT), Mervin Alexander, has made a call for better training infrastructure and increased remuneration for the early childhood teachers, noting that they play a major role in shaping a children's future and need more support for the work they do and the impact it has on society.
DAT President Mervin Alexander shared this during the opening ceremony of the DAT Training Institute at the Convent High School auditorium on Monday, July 7, 2026.
I will openly say that teachers in the early education sector ought to be properly trained and better paid. And I say this without any fear of any reservation. $1,200 a month is no salary for a teacher in that sector, stressed the DAT President.
Mervin argued that early childhood teachers play a great role in laying the foundation for children's lifelong learning and development, adding that they shape the cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development of young children and need to be supported for the role they play in shaping the society.
We all know that the earliest years of a child's life is the most critical window for brain development. Early child educations are not, I repeat, they are not babysitters. Our parents, guardians, and our government needed to understand that, declared President Mervin Alexander.
He further added, “In my opinion, you are magic makers. You are wonder workers. You are neuroscientist engineers. You lay the foundation wiring for literacy, numeracy, emotional intelligence, and resilience, so we must elevate, celebrate, and fiercely support our early childhood sector.”
The two-week training, according to the DAT, will enhance the teachers' professional development and ensure they are well-prepared for the upcoming term.
With this year’s theme being "Empowering Educators for Inclusive, Innovative and Effective Teaching and Leadership," the DAT has encouraged educators to use the training to renew their passion for teaching, strengthen their commitment and embrace AI.