St. Kitts Nevis schools collaborate to fast track student councils

Students in St.Kitts Nevis

St. Kitts, May 06, 2010 (SKNIS): School principals from St. Kitts are headed to Nevis this week to collaborate on the advancement of the implementation of projects outlined in the Education White Paper Document.

Nevis White Paper Implementation Committee Chairperson, Dr Bronte Gonzalves said the Departments of Education on both islands organized a special meeting for heads from St. Kitts to observe the implementation process in operation on Nevis and to share best practices.

One of the areas in which Nevis had been especially successful, was the implementation of Student Councils in all public schools dating back to 2002.

The first visit is scheduled for Friday, May 07. Dr. Gonzalez said she hoped thereafter to see the full-fledged implementation of student’s councils in schools on the island of St. Kitts.

The Education consultant; who represents Nevis on the Federal White Paper Implementation Committee said apart from the national consultations and other top-level meetings regarding the White paper it was extremely important that teachers understand their specific role in carrying out the activities of the white paper at the school level.

She said therefore that the White Paper Committee on Nevis had ensured that all teachers received a copy of sections of the White Paper specific to their area for review prior to any presentation being made at their schools.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education Mr. Osmond Petty said he looks forward to this level of cooperation as the implementation process unfolds. He added that the Ministry would continue to find ways and means of heightening the synergies between officials from both islands as the White Paper was now the Federation’s official document for Education into the future.; replacing the former long term plan. He said the success of the paper requires teamwork on all fronts.