Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 19, 2016 (SKNIS): St. Kitts and Nevis Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Honourable Shawn Richards, has assured the country that the Ministry of Education continues its support of private schools in the Federation.
“Indeed, we do give support to the private schools, as a matter of fact there has been a policy, ongoing, whereby the government pays for a substitute teacher for each of the private schools,” the Deputy Prime Minister said. “So that is support, financial support, which is given.”
The education minister highlighted this fact on the government radio programme “Working For You” on February 17. He addressed this concern of a caller, amid many congratulatory messages bestowed on the government and himself personally on the Government of National Unity attaining one year in office.
“Additionally, from time to time, the different private schools would have different needs,” Minister Richards said, revealing that private schools often consult with the Ministry of Education which provides the necessary support to those schools once it is possible. “For example, if they are building a new institution or they are looking for land – we work with them to identify land, to ensure that the price is one which is affordable. They sometimes would ask for duty free concessions for different items, and as much as we are able to do so, we give all of the necessary support, which is being sought by the private schools.”
Minister Richards also took the opportunity to outline that his day often involves on-site visits to areas in his various departments where he is able to interact with the persons who manage them and use them, including the youth.
“I’m not just in an office, having meetings and speaking to different personnel within the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture but actually out in the field, hearing the concerns of principals, the different workers, be it in the schools, the persons utilizing the playfields etc.,” he said. “And so I have a very good idea as to what is going on, within our schools and generally within the ministries that I hold responsibility for.”
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