By Janet Silvera, Freelance Writer 
Professor Errol Miller accepts his award from Chief Education Officer, Wesley Barrett at EduVision Banquet and Awards Ceremony, Friday night. - Photo by Janet Silvera
WESTERN BUREAU:
SENATOR BURCHELL Whiteman, a pioneer in the development of Jamaican community colleges, former Minister of Education; Prof. Errol Miller, initiator of the Mico Foundation and historian Dr. Ruby King were presented Thursday night with the prestigious EduVision Award of Excellence.
The three, along with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) were honoured at the EduVision 2003 international conference on teacher education at the Wyndham Rose Hall, Montego Bay. Senator Whiteman was commended for developments in education at the primary and secondary levels in Jamaica, under the Reform of Secondary Education and Primary Education Improvement Programme, both of which were implemented during his tenure as Minister of Education.
"He has helped us all to understand if not agree with Government's vision of education for Jamaica at this time," said Jamaica Teachers' Association public relations officer Charmaine Gooden, who read the Minister's citation.
OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP
Professor Miller was recognised for his outstanding leadership in promoting, facilitating and supporting teacher education. "Apart from his sterling role as chairman of the Joint Board of Teacher Education, overseeing the change processes in teacher education, Professor Miller's innovative ideas led him to provide a new type of residential facility for female students of the Mico College," read Mrs. Gooden from his citation.
She said, Professor Miller, helped to establish the two teachers' colleges and community colleges across the country, to ensure ease of access to tertiary and higher education.
In response, the Professor told the gathering that all the things he was being awarded for he had not done on his own. Dr. Ruby King who was absent from the awards ceremony was praised for her involvement which extended beyond subject-based interests, to include her contribution to the development of literacy as director of technical services at the Jamaica Movement for the Advancement of Literacy (JAMAL).
"Overall, Ruby King has given exemplary service to education in Jamaica and the Caribbean region," said educator Simon Clarke, who read her citation. "She has done this in a spirit of generosity and with a humility that commanded respect and has made her a model for future generations."
In the case of the IDB and the OECS, each institution was recognised for its invaluable contribution to the social, educational and economic development of the region.
"The loans and technical support from the bank for education have been three-fold in their objective," said Mrs. Gooden.
And the OECS's exemplary input in being a unifying force in educational development in the Eastern Caribbean and its major contribution to shaping and enhancing in-service teacher education in the region was duly noted.
