BASSETERRE, St Kitts — The Organization of American States (OAS) was honoured recently by the ministry of education and information of St Kitts and Nevis with the award “Partners in Education” for the support the hemispheric organization has been providing to the Caribbean country’s education system over the last three decades.
During the celebrations of the 30th anniversary of the independence of St Kitts and Nevis, the minister of education and information, Nigel Carty, said that the award is the result of an evaluation of the assistance his country received to improve in the area of education.
“We recognize that we are unable to achieve these critical national goals without the assistance of our many community partners. Therefore, the Minister’s Certificate of Appreciation for Educational Partners was established and awarded to an organization that was proactive and committed to the advancement of education in the federation. The Organization of American States is indeed such a partner,” he said.
The minister recalled that the OAS has willingly collaborated with the ministry in many initiatives, in addition to providing its unremitting support through scholarships and other assistance to many citizens of the Caribbean country.
“It is with immense pleasure and an overwhelming sense of humility that the ministry of education awards the Organization of American States the Minister’s Certificate of Appreciation for Educational Partners,” he said.
“As we move forward as an independent nation, taking a retrospective look of the last 30 years, it is our sincere desire to build on the beneficial relationship that we have had with a true partner, the Organization of American States,” he added.
The OAS representative in St Kitts and Nevis, Starret Greene, was on hand to receive the award on behalf of the OAS secretary general, José Miguel Insulza, and the hemispheric institution. During the ceremony, Greene highlighted the role of the OAS executive secretariat for integral development and its department of human development, education and employment in supporting education in the Caribbean country.
Greene also reiterated the OAS commitment to the Caribbean country’s sustainable development, and, in particular, to strengthening ties with the government of St Kitts and Nevis, through the ministry of education and information.
The OAS has played an active role in St Kitts and Nevis’ education system since 1984. The award granted by the ministry of education and information makes particular mention of the support the OAS has been providing to the country through the hemispheric institution’s scholarship system.