“We have NO CONFIDENCE in the Minister of Education and the government,” says Hon. Shawn K Richards
BASSETERRE, St.Kitts, January 7th 2013 - Leader of the People’s Action Movement the Hon. Shawn K. Richards is expressing his party’s full support of the Parents and Teachers at the federation’s largest Secondary learning Institution, the Basseterre High School. The Teachers raised concerns well over a year ago about the conditions of the schools laboratory and its environs. Concerns stemmed from an increase in teachers and students complaints of various sickness’, respitory and otherwise. According to earlier reports the teachers and the school officials approached the Minister of Education as well as the Minister of Health regarding their concerns. The lab was subsequently closed by officials from the Ministry of Health. However students and teachers remained on campus and in close proximity to the abandoned lab to continue their educational activities.
A recent test of the lab and its environs was done by the regional Trinidad-based Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI). A Report was presented to the government through the Minister of Education Hon. Nigel Carty. Carty reported to the teachers on the said report however the teachers and parents are not satisfied and are demanding to see the report and analyse it for themselves. The PAM leader indicated that this is a clear indication that the Parents and Teachers have no confidence in Minister of Education Carty and by extension the government.
“This ongoing situation between the Parents and Teachers at the Basseterre High School and the Minister of Education and the government is a clear indication and a microcosm of the main issue and problem affecting our country today. And that is NO CONFIDENCE. Our people have NO CONFIDENCE in the government. The teachers are demanding to see the report for themselves because they do not trust Minister Carty and the government and therefore they have NO CONFIDENCE in them,” said Richards
“Our government’s priorities seem to be totally out of whack with the priorities and needs of the people they serve. The BHS lab’s deplorable condition and the lack of attention given to it by Minister Carty and the government is a glaring example of the governments gross disregard for the real issues that are important and critical to our people’s development. My party and I join with the parents and teachers of the BHS in their demand to see the Air Quality report which was presented to government as we have absolutely NO CONFIDENCE in what Minister Carty’ has relayed as being the contents of the report. The teachers and parents need to see for themselves and I support them fully. This is just one of the many issues that reflect our people’s growing lack of confidence in Dr Douglas and his government. And it is this lack of confidence that is crippling our country and in order to save our country Dr Douglas must be removed in order to RESTORE CONFIDENCE. ” Richards stated.
Richards continued “I will be leading a MARCH OF NO CONFIDENCE on Friday January 11th to highlight the people’s call for the Prime Minister to Open the House and debate the NO CONFIDENCE motion that has been filed as well as to continue our call for our lands to be restored and returned to the people so that we can RESTORE CONFIDENCE in our country and it's governance. CONFIDENCE in our country, confidence in our governance, confidence in the office of Prime Minister. RESTORING CONFIDENCE is the number 1 priority at this point in our nations development and the only way to do that is for the Prime Miniser to step down or be removed.”
“Let me further assure the parents and teachers of the BHS that any new government which I am a part of will make addressing their concerns a number 1 priority and ensuring a comfortable environment that is conducive to teaching and learning, “ Richards concluded.
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