Holness said teachers have the duty to impart knowledge and to nurture, inspire and awaken the minds of young people and adults through the lifelong-learning process.

"As we acknowledge the profound responsibility of our teachers, the Government understands the challenges they face and remains committed to providing the policy framework and institutional support necessary to ensure their success," said Holness.

Eulie Mantock, grade six teacher at St Richard's Primary School in St Andrew, has been nurturing young minds for 29 years.

"I stay in it because I like teaching and I like to see children excel and achieve," Mantock told The Gleaner yesterday, adding that teachers were special individuals.

Meanwhile, Miranda Sutherland, president of the National Parent-Teacher Association of Jamaica, urged teachers to continue imparting new ideas and knowledge to the young.

"Today marks a very special day in your life and you need to feel every sense of joy and pride in yourselves," Sutherland said.

She added: "As our society moves forward in the 21st century, your roles and responsibilities become even greater, especially given the global community that we have become part of and the demands it is placing on preparing the young minds."