Dr Friday plans to have round table discussion on education with stakeholders

OPPOSITION LEADER, Dr Godwin Friday is to have a “round table” discussion with educators, employers and other interested persons in St Vincent and the Grenadines to deal with matters on education and to chart the way forward.

In a national address on Wednesday night, September 21 the leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP) did not say when the forum will be held as he reminded his audience of some of the setbacks which surfaced at the opening of the new school term on Monday, September 5.

Making reference to the delay in the opening of the St Vincent Grammar School and problems on the first day at the Kingstown Preparatory School, Friday said “official confusion now appears to be the norm.”

He charged that there is need for proper planning, as education is very important.

“A good education is the best inheritance we can give to our children,”Friday noted.

He also sees education as “a sound investment in our country.”

Stating that “our education system must be relevant to the times,” Friday called for a reliable, high speed internet service to be made available at all schools and in homes.

“ High speed internet is no longer an optional luxury, but a necessary part of education,”he charged, adding that it is not just about giving students a laptop or a tablet.

The opposition leader, who is also the Member of Parliament for the Northern Grenadines also expressed concern about the high drop out rate at secondary schools.

“Far too many secondary school students do not make it to graduation,”he noted.

In terms of entry into secondary school, Friday said the registration fee is too high and called for it to be eliminated.

Apart from this, he suggested that a a regular schools maintenance programme be instituted so that the buildings will not become uninhabitable. Essentially, Friday wants to see a more responsive education system that will benefit all citizens.

He recalled that at the last graduation at the Bequia Community High School, the principal had revealed that only three of the 21 students who started in form one, made it to graduation.

Apart from drop outs, Friday raised the issue of the many students who are repeaters and noted that a good education is “an effective way to combat crime and other anti-social behaviours.”

Friday called on the ruling administration to take “urgent action” to combat gun related crimes in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).

He further suggested that agriculture be taught as a subject, in all primary and secondary schools as he underscored the population’s heavy dependence on agriculture.