Montserrat Secondary School and Charlestown Secondary School Capture First Places in 2012 OECS Essay Competition

Basseterre, St Kitts, 8 October 2012–Tiffannie Skerritt of the Montserrat Secondary School and Al Flemming of the Charlestown Secondary School in the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis are the winners in the respective categories of the 12th OECS Essay Competition, hosted and sponsored by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB).

Tiffannie emerged winner of the age 14 – 16 category with her essay on the topic: “What Viable Steps Should OECS Countries Take to Stimulate Their Economies and Significantly Reduce National Debts?” Tiffannie is of the view that OECS countries can achieve this goal by diversifying their economies to non-traditional industries and advancing agricultural industries. She suggests that member governments must set and achieve clear financial targets, cut the public sector wage bill and develop a privatisation strategy in order to reduce their national debt.

Al Flemming, who wrote on the topic: “Discuss the Role of Young People in Shaping the Future of the OECS”, won the age 17 – 19 category. According to Al, “the single most important tool for optimal youth participation in the development process is quality education.” Hence, young people should take advantage of every educational opportunity. He adds that young people need to be more entrepreneurial, embrace the OECS Economic Union and engage in advocacy and volunteerism.

The OECS Essay Competition is aimed at encouraging critical thinking and raising the awareness of secondary school students of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) on issues of economic development. The competition, which is part of the ECCB’s community outreach programme, is open to secondary school students in the eight member countries of the ECCU.

Three hundred and twenty-one (321) students from schools across the ECCU submitted entries. The essays were assessed for content, soundness of points, logical development knowledge of the subject, command of language and presentation.

Andy Scott of the Grenada Seventh Day Adventist Comprehensive School and Candace Greene of the Washington Archibald High School in St Kitts and Nevis were adjudged second and third place respectively in the age 14 – 16 category. While Tashaun Williams of the Washington Archibald High School and Theon Tross of the Charlestown Secondary School won second and third places respectively in the age 17 – 19 category.

The first place winners in each of the categories will each be awarded a $2,500 cash prize and a grant of $1,500 will be awarded to their respective schools. The students who placed second will receive $1,500 and their schools will be presented with a grant of $1,000; while the third place winners will each receive $1,000 and their schools a grant of $500.

The Antigua Girls High School will be awarded a grant of $500 for submitting the most entries. Certificates of recognition will also be awarded to students in each category for the essays which did not place among the top three but were adjudged the best in the respective countries.