By Precious Mills
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Thursday 1st June 2023)- Minister of Education and Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Geoffrey Hanley is applauding the importance of the theme for Child Month 2023 “Empowering Our Children Through STEAM.” “Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics, STEAM, are the building blocks of any robust education system and therefore should be integrated into a child’s early years.
The fostering of interest and the exposure to these disciplines will ultimately contribute to the
building of our great nation,” he said in an address to the nation on Thursday 1st June 2023 in declaring the 38th year of Child Month officially opened. According to Dr. Hanley: “As a small island developing state focused on building resilience and becoming more self-sustaining, it is critical that science, mathematics, engineering, the arts, the technology are viewed as integral towards us achieving our goals.
Therefore, our children must develop an understanding of their world and be encouraged to explore creative solutions to the current – LOCAL NEWS – economic, physical, environmental and social challenges.” “Also, the arts must be viewed not just as an avenue of self-expression but a means to which our heritage is passed on. Our nation’s children are naturally gifted.
They are curious and therefore poised to learn tremendously through STEAM education,” he added. Dr. Hanley went on to point out that “… as the Minister of Education, I am very excited to share in this experience with the early childhood staff, proprietors, teachers, parents and students of both public and private institutions.
During this month, we take the time to celebrate the rights of the child under the theme Empowering Our Children Through STEAM Education. The Deputy Prime Minister stated that: “Our advancements and accomplishments in the early childhood sector are a direct result of the foundation laid by the early and current practitioners and the continued support from our stakeholders.
Therefore, I take this opportunity to express sincere gratitude to all our critical stakeholders for your continued support and hard work.” He continued: “Thank you is also extended to our local businesses who have granted concessions, donations and sponsorship to the initiatives of early childhood throughout the years. Mention must also be made of our international partner UNICEF for supporting the Ministry of Education’s endeavors to create best practices at all levels, to build capacity, to improve administration and management and to enhance the proper development of our children.” According to him, such contributions continue to make a positive impact on the quality of teaching and learning in the early childhood sector and we are extremely grateful.
“As the Minister of Education, I take this opportunity to thank the private proprietors for working with us to educate the nation’s children. Historically, most of our early childhood centers are privately owned and these centers have delivered sterling educational opportunities over the past 38 years.
We remain extremely grateful to all private early childhood proprietors who care for a large portion of the nation’s children.” Additionally, he thanked the Early Childhood Development Unit and all early childhood public and private providers for the yearround service given every year to nation’s most vulnerable, our children. “Thank you for your continued dedication and willingness to undertake the planning and implementation of the annual Child Month celebration.
It is a success because of you,” Dr. Hanley stated. Photo: Minister of Education and Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Geoffrey Hanley while making his video presentation address to the nation on Thursday 1st June 2023 in declaring the 38th year of Child Month officially opened (Spokesman Screenshot)
