A recent one-day workshop was conducted to design structures for Saint Lucia’s Early Childhood Development sector, in collaboration with the Small Business Development Centre (SBDC), Department of Labour Relations, National Insurance Corporation (NIC), and 1st National Bank.
Participants, including early childhood practitioners, were equipped with tools for efficient center management and recognized as the first point of instruction in the National Education System.
Describing the educators’ role as crucial to national development, Education Minister Shawn Edward emphasised the sector’s significance, supported by the wider government machinery.
“We put a premium on early childhood education and more specifically, early childhood development,” said Edward.
Prime Minister Philip J Pierre consented to contributing an additional $2,500 to every early childhood education centre, acknowledging the heavy workload borne by early childhood education practitioners.
Additionally, more than 70% of private institutions form the early childhood development centers on the island. The workshop sought to ensure a standardized approach to early childhood education executed by the Ministry of Education.
Minister Edward, following previous action to improve the incorporation of ICT in schools, announced a focus on the youngest learners. The department has secured a sum of $10,000 to be distributed to the early childhood development centers in the Dennery North constituency.
Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education Dr. Pauline Antoine-Prospere emphasised the educators’ work, recognising and celebrating the immense value of their contribution to educating young minds.
“It’s critical to recognize and celebrate the immense value of your contribution,” she told school administrators. “You help children develop quicker thinking skills, language proficiency, and a strong sense of curiosity. You lay the groundwork for life-long learning and the success of our children.”
Chief Education Officer Beverly Duodonie stressed effective financial management as fundamental to the sustainability of businesses, with participants commending the support provided for the success of their operations.
In conclusion, this initiative received positive feedback, with one participant noting, “It is very educational, inspiring, and it gave me many things to think about and little things that I have not put in place, which I should improve and need to work on.” The workshop featured presentations facilitated in collaboration with public and private sector agencies.
Participants commended the initiative taken in providing significant support to the success of their operations. “It is very educational, inspiring, and it gave me many things to think about and little things that I have not put in place which I should improve and need to work on,” a participant noted.
Presentations were facilitated in collaboration with public and private sector agencies.