Independence celebrations activities begin with visit to primary schools

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, SEPTEMBER 12TH 2012 (CUOPM) – Ministers of Government begin visits to primary schools in St. Kitts on Wednesday.

“With the focus being on children for this year’s celebrations, the usual visit to secondary schools has been changed so that greater attention can be drawn to children of primary school age. Visits to primary schools will take place over two days,” said Minister of Information, Sen. the Hon. Nigel Carty.

File photo of students of the Newton Ground Primary School (Photo by Erasmus Williams)

In a post Cabinet briefing Wednesday, he noted that the much anticipated Prime Minister’s 2012 Independence Lecture will be delivered by Mr. Rustum Southwell, son of the late Premier and National Hero, the Rt. Excellent Sir Caleb Azariah Paul Southwell on Wednesday September 12th at the Old Boys’ School Building, Basseterre.

Mr. Southwell is an accomplished business leader now residing in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Friday September 14th will see schools’ patriotic programmes and Independence treat, an island-wide public education outreach activity spearheaded by the Department of Probation and Child protection Services, a drill display and police drum corps presentation on the Bay Road in Basseterre in the evening, and a culmination of the day’s event with a cultural gala.

Saturday will see the annual Venezuelan Embassy Marathon.

Sunday September 16, National Heroes Day, will feature the announcement of the annual National Honours in which about eleven persons will be named, will be observed as an inter-denominational day of prayer and thanksgiving, and will feature the annual Independence Fun Run and the National State Service at the St. Georges Anglican Church.

Members of the public are asked to refer to public service announcements for further information on the Independence Celebration Activities.

During Monday’s Cabinet Meeting, the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister re-emphasised the importance of the theme for the celebrations – Cherishing Children; Strengthening Families – stressing that the theme was an important guiding principle for the overall national development.