Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre presented to parliament, the Estimates of Income and Expenditure and the Budget Appropriation Bill for 2024-2025, both of which had been debated and passed in both houses of parliament.
Indeed, the Appropriation Address recounts the exodus or liberation of God’s people, the Israelites, from bondage in Egypt to the Promised Land.
This article is the third in a series of articles to be published on the Prime Minister’s Appropriation Address. The content of the articles may not deal with the issues in the order in which they were presented by the Prime Minister.
The Budget address is entitled: Building Our Infrastructure for a Resilient Economy. The Primary objective of the address is to achieve sustainable economic growth and wealth creation for our people.
Now in order to achieve that goal, his government will pursue some key policies.
Indeed, in his policy address, the Prime Minister has announced that the Pierre Administration is reengineering the Saint Lucia Education System.
Now as an educator who has laboured in the Saint Lucia Education System as a classroom teacher, a literacy teacher trainer, and a School Principal, I am elated at this welcoming revelation to the nation.
Indeed, the guiding philosophy of St. Philip the Apostle is to provide a learning environment in which the academic needs of each child are met.
Now in the 2024/2025 budget, the Philip Pierre administration, will accelerate Saint Lucia’s transition to a modernised and inclusive education system that caters to the needs of our students, teachers and learners, all stakeholders of the education system.
Now in case you may be wondering, there was an education system for the Israelites in biblical times. The Israelites had educational, social, spiritual systems to direct their way of life.
Indeed, the government of Saint Lucia will spend the sum of $22.5 million to rehabilitate several schools on the island.
Now it must be understood that through repairing, renovating, and upgrading our school infrastructure, and other facilities, the project will provide opportunities for safe, comfortable, and conducive learning environments for students, which is essential for enhancing the quality of education and performance.
Now, in addition to school rehabilitation, the government continues to provide secondary school students each with a laptop in order to prepare them for the future.
Indeed, since coming into office in 2021, the government of Saint Lucia has commissioned 20 Smart Classrooms through the Caribbean Digitization Transformation Project.
Now how important are smart classrooms? Smart classrooms are all about helping students become digitally literate, critical thinkers, and problem solvers. Now, they are designed to be beneficial to all students, putting them at the centre of the learning experience. The smart classrooms also encourage collaboration, creativity and innovation among students and teachers.
It is clear that the Saint Lucia government is preparing our students for the future.
Prime Minister, Philip J. Pierre and his government is not only supportive of our students, but also our teachers. From this academic year, the government will be strengthening the Principal Assistants Programme in 31 primary schools. The government has already allocated $1.8milliom for the recruitment of Principal assistants.
And as part of the modernisation of the local education system, the following four secondary schools will be transformed into Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions: The Stanly John Odlum Secondary School in Marigot, Grand Riviere Secondary school, Anse Ger Secondary School, and the Piaye Secondary School.
How important is TVET in schools? Technical and Vocational Education ensures that students are learning the right skills that are most in demand and that they are well prepared for the world of work.
The government will ensure that the education system provides training or learning for the students who are academic as well as technical. Indeed, many students can acquire both sets of skills.
Let me also inform that TVET could provide more practical, or hands-on approach to learning, and could be quite appealing to many students.
The Philip Pierre led administration has taken steps to make going to university more affordable and that students gain easier access to tertiary level education. The government is heading to provide one university graduate in each household in St. Lucia.
Prime Minister Philip ‘the disciple and apostle’ and his government are heading to ease the financial burden on low-income households and make it easier for students to secure concessionary loans from the St. Lucia Development Bank.
Indeed, at all turns and twists, the government of Saint Lucia is determined to “Put People First.” And they have a very strong determination!