BY GEORGE HENRY, Star Writer
Errol Charles Bascoe - GEORGE HENRY
spaldings, clarendon:
SEVENTEEN YEARS HAVE past since Errol Charles Bascoe entered the Jamaican classroom to teach the nation's children.
Bascoe, who majored in physical education and sports and is a graduate of the G.C. Foster College, has moved up the ranks over the years has taught at the secondary and the tertiary levels. He is currently the principal of Tacky High School in St. Mary, where he was once a student.
He worked at the Aabuthnott Gallimore High (10 years) and Moneague College (two years) in St. Ann, teaching physical education, before moving on to the Cedric Titus High (five years) where he worked as vice-principal before returning to his alma mater.
ADMIRATION FOR TEACHER
His entry into teaching came out of an admiration for his physical education teacher, who he said was his mentor. He said his teacher, who was also a past student of the G.C. Foster College, was an individual who was loved by the students he taught.
He said he admired the way his teacher cared for the students and so when he got the opportunity he also entered the physical education field.
When he began 17 years ago, Bascoe did not see himself becoming the principal of a school. He said he thought that one day he might become an instructor in sports and would be involved in some national programme instead of his present position.
His change from being involved in sports and physical education started over 12 years ago when he decided that he wanted to be in administration in order to give sports the support it truly deserved.
He is a strong believer that sports can be a vehicle to teach 'slow learners', and since becoming the principal at the Tacky High three months ago, Bascoe has started to implement programmes to enhance this.
Before going to Tacky High, physical education was not being taught in the older grades of the school but that has now changed. "I started out by introducing PE to every child who attends the school and it is now being done from grades seven to 11 and they are all enjoying it," said the principal.
FULFILLING JOB
The veteran teacher who holds a diploma and a bachelor's degree in physical education and sports and a master's in educational leadership, said he would never exchange teaching for any other career. The responsibility he has for guiding students makes his job quite fulfilling and one of his goals for the next five years is to provide quality education for all students who pass through the doors of Tacky High.
Bascoe is married to Aldith Johnson and is the father of Chadwick, Othneil and Briana.
Do
you have a problem? Is something bothering
you? Write to