BASSETERRE St. Kitts, May 3rd 2011, (SKNIS) - Kittitian parents, who fall within a lower income bracket and are facing the task of outfitting children for the start of the school year, have the option of applying to the School Uniform Programme of the Ministry of Social Services, Community and Social Development, Culture and Gender Affairs.
The School Uniform Programme application process is presently taking place, along with similar procedures for the other Social Service Programmes. Activities such as these fall under the Social Safety Net initiative of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.
The new Supervisor of Social Development Mrs. Denise Byron-Morris told the St. Kitts and Nevis Information Service that while the Programme is geared toward the indigent and poor, anyone who is financially challenged can apply. She gave the example of a crisis such as the loss of the family bread-winners job, noting that each application is looked at on a case by case basis.
The process requires that applicants give essential basic information such as names, addresses,’ the most recent pay-slip and provide details of their utility bills. Mrs. Byron-Morris revealed that whereas previously it was satisfactory to state the amount of each bill, the applicants now have to bring actual bills which are then verified by the Department. She explained that this is necessary, to ensure that there is meaningful assessment of the parent’s inability to purchase the uniform.
Social Assistance Officers (SAOs) are key in the provision of all Social Services. The Supervisor of Social Development explained that in order to work with the residents of the various communities, St. Kitts is divided into five zones with one Officer responsible for each. Zone 1 consists of East Basseterre including Conaree and St. Peter’s, Zone 2 – College Street to West Farm, Zone 3 – West Basseterre to Sandy Point, Zone 4 – Sandy Point to Belle Vue, Zone 5 Mansions to Keys.
In relation to the School Uniform Programme procedure, Supervisor Byron-Morris said that following the Schools’ Easter Break, the SAOs schedule the uniform application appointments. She explained that the sessions usually take place in schools or community centres, in the specified Zones, after working hours to accommodate the parents. Persons who are unable to meet these times can also make special requests for appointments at the community centres where the SAOs are stationed, during working hours.
Mrs. Byron-Morris stressed that her Ministry and the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis is committed to achieving the Millennium Development Goals of 2015.
This is a United Nations initiative designed to assist developing countries in eradicating poverty. The new Supervisor noted that this undertaking includes sustaining the 98 percent literacy rate, and the high performance standing of students of the Federation.
“The School Uniform Programme has one central goal,” Mrs. Byron-Morris stressed. “That is to ensure that school children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary, secondary and tertiary schooling. To do this we have to eliminate the financial restrictions – including the cost of uniforms, travel, books and examination fees.”
The Supervisor emphasized that while her Department does its part by providing uniforms, the Ministry of Education assists students with transportation, books and examination fees.
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