BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, September 24th 2013 (SKNIS) - Physical Education Teachers and Coaches in secondary schools are set to benefit from a two-day workshop that will help promote awareness and sensitize these individuals about the adverse effects of alcohol, drugs and doping in sports.
The theme for the September 24 -25 inaugural workshop is ‘Levelling the Playing Field in High Schools’ and is being spearheaded by the Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Organization (RADO) in collaboration with the St. Kitts Ministry of Education.
Secretary General for the St. Kitts and Nevis National Commission for UNESCO Antonio Maynard stated that given its mandate in education, especially its commitment to the fundamental values which underpins education and sports, UNESCO is deeply concerned about “the erosion of ethics and the gross lack of integrity created by the use of performance enhancing drugs by not only athletes but by very young students.”
“As a major partner in the fight against doping in sports, UNESCO, the World Anti- Doping Agency as well as RADO continue to work in harmony at the international, regional and local levels to combat this plague which has potential to inflict irreparable damage to the young minds of our students.”
Chief Education Officer Clarice Cotton stated that the Ministry of Education places great importance on these programmes, as well as the students’ participation since they are moulding well rounded, productive citizens.
“That is something we want to emphasize,” she noted. “We don’t want children to just deal with academics only but all round development of the students. A workshop such as this is therefore timely in the development of both sport and physical education in our Federation.”
She added that the Ministry of Education sees the need for anti-doping and anti-drug education as “an integral part of the investment in young people.” She further noted that the Ministry must ensure that students are equipped with the information to make smart lifestyle choices which empowers them to reach their full potential.
St. Kitts and Nevis is one among four other islands including Barbados, the British Virgin Island (BVI) and St. Lucia that will be benefiting from this regional project funded by the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, through the Fund for Elimination of Doping in Sports.
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