Premier Parry declares Child Month open in Nevis

Premier of Nevis, Hon. J. Parry at the Child Month march

NEVIS…JUNE 6, 2010) – Premier of Nevis and Minister of Education, the Hon. Joseph Parry underscored the importance of Education, in a televised address on Nevis Television (NTV) on Tuesday that declared Child Month 2010 opened. The theme for this year’s month long celebration is “Save our men: Children need fathers too”.

“June is designated Child Month in the Federation of St. Kitts-Nevis. I believe that by now all of you are aware of the importance my Government has placed on Education on the island of Nevis.

“We (Nevis Island Administration) care about the young in this country and so we have over the years allocated a significant percentage of the budget to their education: pre-school, primary, secondary and skills training,” commented Premier Parry.

According to the Premier, a good education not only benefited the child or young person but the whole country. He added that for the month of June he would like to see all of Nevis take particular interest in early childhood education.

The Premier reiterated his Government’s message that education created a level playing field for all children; those from the lower socio-economic status and those from more economically well off families.

“High quality early childhood education has the greatest positive effect on children from poorer families, children who are at risk because of other circumstances and children with disabilities and special needs. In this environment social development and academic learning development takes place more easily,” said the Premier.

Government Ministers leading the Child Month march

He informed viewers that research had shown that early identification of problems was vital to effective prevention and that Pre-school education could identify task related and behavioral problems before they developed into school adjustment problems later on when it was too late.”

The Premier noted that he received regular feedback on the progress of the pre-school programme and he was aware that the children of Nevis were benefitting from the pre-school system.

“I wish to congratulate the parents, who over the years have been very involved in their pre-school activities. I encourage all parents to continue the trend,” he said.

The Premier also noted that he embraced the theme of the month of activities which he said fell right into the Government’s initiatives to reduce crime and anti-social behavior.

Meanwhile, as part of the activities for this year’s celebration of Child month, a march with happy children walking with their fathers or male guardians decked in shirts with this year’s theme, took place on Friday, June 4th.

Fathers and their children at the march

The Premier noted that the parade through Charlestown was a delight, as he said he witnessed many fathers walking with their children from the Nevis Cultural Centre into the center of Town, was a pleasure to witness.

“I believe that this concept of the fathers playing a major role in their child’s life was well received and we will see greater and better relationships between fathers and children which will give men a greater incentive to live right, raise their children, be an example and be available to them,” concluded Premier Parry.