As Education Month came to a close, the Ministry of Education teamed up with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to host a one-day “education fair” on Thursday to “promote the various programmes and polices within the education sector”.
The fair was held at the Ministry of Education’s Sports Complex on Carifesta Avenue under the theme “Partners in Child Development”. Education Minister Shaik Baksh reiterating the theme commended the ministries of Health and Human Services and UNICEF for their work in the education sector but stated that parents were the weakest link.
The home and school are very essential in the development of children if they are to meet their full potential, Baksh told the students, teachers and special invitees who were present. He made an appeal for all to “come on board”.
The theme for education month this year is “Child-friendly homes: child-friendly classrooms – quality education”.
Also calling for more collaboration was Programme Officer Education of UNICEF Audrey Michele Rodrigues.
Health Minister Leslie Ramsammy, whose ministry had several booths at the fair, stressed the importance of a healthy child so that they can live up to their potential. Ramsammy also announced that over the next couple of weeks his ministry will re-launch the early childhood developmental committee.
The Carnegie School of Home Economics along with the literacy unit, information technology unit of National Centre for Educational Research and Development (NCERD), the Police, Beepat’s Maggie’s Mobile, Child Protection Agency among other booths held various demonstrations of child friendly class room settings and handed out information pamphlets to students.