Ministry of Family rolls out Parenting Education Programme

The Child Development Division within the Ministry of Family, Gender Affairs, persons with Disabilities, Local Government and Labour has conducted its first workshop under its Parenting Education Programme (PEP) on February 24, 2026

Under the theme ‘Stronger Parents; Stronger Families’, the initiative forms part of the ministry’s commitment to strengthening families and supporting the development and overall well-being of children across St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG). The first workshop, held at the conference room of the Ministry of Health brought together parents of the Lodge Village Government where discussions centred around such issues as positive discipline, effective communication, strengthening parent child relations, and creating supportive environments. A team of social workers, counsellors, child protection officers, and teachers were also engaged in the workshop.

Minister of the Family, etc,Laverne Gibson-Velox commended the parents for attending, referring to them as heroes, and noting that attendance at such fora is usually limited.

Minister Gibson-Velox also noted that the workshop is not only about learning, it is about building a community of empowered and confident parents.

“As we move forward, let us reaffirm our collective responsibility to safeguarding our children and strengthen our families. The stronger our family units are the more resilient children will be to the ills of society that threaten to erode their ability to add value to our country as adults.”

Principal of the Lodge Village Government School, Ruthlyn Abbott conveyed a strong and direct message, stating that, “the success of students relies on the environment they are exposed to. When students feel valued, student/teacher relationship emerge stronger. There are no prefect parents, no prefect or model school. Let us use the time to interact, participate openly about barriers that limit parent/student communication, effective teacher/ student collaboration”.

The workshop and community sessions are designed to promote positive parenting practices and reduce violence against children, as well as equipping parents with practical tools and effective strategies that result in non-violent application of discipline, improves communication, and create supportive home environments.

The Parenting Education Programme will be delivered in six communities: Kingstown, Campden Park, Layou, Belair, Stubbs and Greiggs.(API)