Urging the Government to give more resources to the Children’s Authority, principal of the Windermere Private School in San Fernando, Laureen Debance-Misir has said social issues regarding children take too long to be investigated by the Education Ministry.
Speaking at Universal Children’s Day celebrations at her school, Debance Misir said it was laudable that tan Authority geared at improving child welfare was set up in T&T.
“As we celebrate Children’s Day, we are very thankful that we have the Children’s Authority. However, more resources are needed for us to facilitate all the children. We have children in the country with needs for social issues that need addressing,” she added.
She noted that her school’s protocol was to go through the Ministry of Education to report issues.
“They then come in schools to address concerns but sometimes it takes longer for cases to be seen,” she added.
Debance-Misir also said children are leaving primary school without knowing the basics of reading and writing.
“ If you cannot function at a certain level in secondary school you will be in trouble. I have secondary teachers saying some students are unable to read and that is why the problems in schools are escalating. This has to be addressed at the early stages,” she added.
PNM candidate for Les Efforts West/La Romaine Aliyyah Baksh also said children were suffering because of technology.
“I believe technology is an advantage but also it is a hindrance. Children are spending too much time on screens. It’s important for the children to know there are lots of things to do outside of the classroom and outside of the screen time,” she added.
Baksh lauded the Windermere family for encouraging children to love the environment.
She urged schools to plant kitchen gardens in their compounds, adding that this will go a long way in inculcating a love for the environment.
During the celebrations, children were given treats from their teachers as well as dances from the Chinese Art and Culture Studies Society. Every child was given a poui tree to take back home.
