St. Kitts and Nevis to develop National Child Protocol in 2012

St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas with students of the Cayon High Schol (File photo by Erasmus Williams)

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, JANUARY 6TH 2012 (CUOPM) – St. Kitts and Nevis intends to grapple with the underlying social causes of crime during the New Year with the opening of a new co-ed rehabilitation centre and development of a National Child Protocol.

Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Denzil L. Douglas said his administration will continue to upgrade the technical and physical resources of the Security Forces through Funds from the European Union. “This EU-funded initiative will focus on policy formulation, institutional strengthening, the provision of modern equipment, police training curriculum development, and the construction of a new police training facility as well as a prisoner rehabilitation centre,” said Dr. Douglas.

He said government intends to vigorously implement various law enforcement initiatives to combat crime and continue to address the underlying social causes of crime.

Prime Minister Douglas said the New Horizon Co-ed Rehabilitation Centre will be open this year after implementing an intensive training programme to prepare the relevant staff to carry out their functions at the Centre.”We are moving forward with the development of a National Child Protocol with a view to securing its early implementation. We intend to eradicate child abuse and the associated pain and trauma, which often result in psychological problems leading to criminal and anti-social behavior,” said Dr. Douglas.

He disclosed that the federation will be implementing research projects to probe the effect of various teaching and learning variables on the performance and behavior of primary and secondary school children.

The studies will focus on a number of issues including the effect of single sex classrooms, school climate, students’ risk behavior assessment, and school needs assessment. The Education Department is also strengthening the structure for the delivery of the Caribbean Vocational and Educational Qualification with a view to ensure that all of our students, the technically inclined as well the academically inclined, would be provided a balanced education that gives them the opportunity to explore and prepare themselves for careers in areas of studies that are consistent with their interests and aptitudes.

“We believe that while Law Enforcement will always play a critical role in the prevention and detection of crimes, the work of our Security Forces would be made much easier over the long-term if we address the social factors that give rise to the propensity to engage in criminal activity. Hence, we are tackling crime on both fronts. Our aim is the creation of a progressive and prosperous country in which our people can go about their business peacefully, harmoniously and free of fear,” Prime Minister Douglas said.