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| Premier Parry participates in the march which preceded the Back to School Rally on Sunday |
Charlestown Nevis (September 11, 2006)--Educators on Nevis, led by Premier and Minister of Education, the Hon Joseph Parry on Sunday September 10, took part in the annual Back to School Rally at the Netball Complex in Charlestown.
"Taking a Stand to Raise the Standard" was the theme under which the rally was held and where a number of motivational prayers and messages came from community leaders especially members of the clergy.
Speaking at the rally, Principal Education Officer, Mrs Jennifer Hodge, said that the theme chosen for this year's rally was quiet appropriated.
"As we experience change and progress in our country," she said, "this is the opportune time to set new expectations. For you, progress and change always bring new challenges."
She told the educators and policy makers that they were obligated to put measures in place to raise the standard or that they could fell prey to the old adage "if we stand for nothing we will fall for anything".
Mrs Hodge explained that, we (educators) were at a critical juncture in raising the standard and that any success toward the end, depended to a large measure on teachers and principals.
"Let me sound a word of caution to all who have contributed to this significant improvement in performance. Improvement is a joint effort and unless we strengthen and enhance the partnership that we have already established, we may lose all the valuable gains made," she said.
Giving brief remarks, Premier Parry noted that he was very happy to participate in the back to school rally and added, "I made it by business to march with you this afternoon because I wish to demonstrate the support of my government for the children and for the theme taking a stand to raise the standard."
The Education Minister called on the parents to spend time with their children. He told the fathers to make time for their girls and especially their boys and called on the mothers, especially those with two jobs, to find quality time to spend with their children.
~~Adz:Right~~Rev Cecele Browne, one of the organisers of the rally, told the gathering that the theme was a call to all parents, teachers, adults and stakeholder in education to make a commitment.
"We ought not only to expect our young people and our children to make an effort, we should not just expect commitment from our young people but as adults we must lead the way and demonstrate such commitment to our youth," said Rev Browne.
The rally was preceded by a march from the New Testament Church of God at Bath Village.
