DARE programme graduates forty three students on Canouan

CURTAINS CAME DOWN on December 13 on three weeks of fun and learning at the Canouan Government School as the D.A.R.E Programme – facilitated by The Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, came to an end.

The programme, which started in October, saw 43 students from grades five and six graduating.

The D.A.R.E Programme is an initiative by the RSVGPF that started in February of 1997. It seeks to educate students on the use of drugs and alcohol and the effects on the mind and body. The programme also encourages team work and the development of students’ listening, interpretation and writing skills.

Speaking at the ceremony was Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Juliana Charles (officer in charge of the D.A.R.E Unit), who gave an overview of the programme. She congratulated the students and urged them to implement what they learnt into their everyday life.

The feature speaker – Pastor Eustacia McLauren in her address said; “Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family….

Education is a human right with immense power to transform. On its foundation rest the cornerstones of freedom, democracy and sustainable human development.” – A quote from Kofi Annan.

She said social problems are linked to lack of education and “education can initiate positive changes in social patterns and behavior.”

Mc Laurean reminded the children that they are not too young to make positive decisions, and having good role models can be key to attaining certain skills and behavioral patterns. Pastor Mc Laurean also pleaded with parents and society as a whole to be supportive of the children and to let their actions be one that the children can emulate.

In her closing remarks, pastor congratulated the students, applauded the effort of the RSVGPF D.A.R.E Unit Team, the Ministry of Education and the principal and staff of the Canouan Government School.

She left the audience with this: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela Also present at the graduation ceremony were Terrance Ollivierre – parliamentary representative for the Southern Grenadines and Edwin Snagg – director of Grenadines Affairs.