NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (SEPTEMBER 04, 2013) — A number of recent changes made in the Ministry of Education, are expected to bring about greater cohesion in the education system. So said Premier of Nevis and Minister of Education in the Nevis Island Administration Hon. Vance Amory in a statement made to mark the official start of the 2013-2014 school year on September 02, 2013.
Mr. Amory was at the time making reference to the recent decision to separate the position of the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and that of the Principal Education Officer, the appointment of a new additional Education Officer and some transfers in school management.
“My fellow citizens, this simple change in the Ministry of Education is expected to bring about a greater cohesion in the Education System and create a more harmonious and efficient system in which our Education Officers, head teachers, teachers and students can perform to the highest level possible and continue to aspire to achieve excellence at all levels whether in academics, vocational or technical skills and artistic, cultural and dramatic training,” he said.
Mr. Amory added that the new approach would give a new focus on the total development of the people of Nevis and explained the measures that would be taken to achieve that goal.
“We will in the course of this year set out the priority areas which your Government will be prepared to provide, special scholarships for training here at home and wherever possible to get the best human resource skills set for the future development of Nevis.
“In this regard, I will set up a small committee headed by a senior civil servant to identify scholarship sources and also to vet the applicants for training for submission to Cabinet for approval, in accordance with the priority established,” he said.
According to the Premier, the objective was to create a more holistic approach to the development of the people of Nevis in particular the children who had to be placed at the focal point of the education system.
“The total involvement of the multi-talents of our children will have a positive impact and influence on their social development.
“It is also necessary for me to again congratulate our students who have done well at the recent CXC CSEC and CAPE and other examinations. The Permanent Secretary of Education has given me a run down and details of the outstanding performances. It is therefore not necessary for me to give the details,” he said.
However, Mr. Amory urged the students who did not do as well as they had expected, to see that time as a watershed period in their lives and their personal development and to take new decisions to use all the available opportunities for their future development.
“There will be adult education classes, re-sit of examinations possibilities and community and apprentice opportunities so that they can have a second chance,” he said.