Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 28, 2014 (SKNIS): Key individuals in the education sector came together to participate in a Child Friendly School (CFS) Workshop which focused on evaluating and monitoring schools and classrooms on Thursday (February 27).
Education Officers, persons from the Curriculum Development Unit and members of the Early Childhood Department were all present at the workshop.
Chief Education Officer Clarice Cotton stated that since its inception in St. Kitts and Nevis, the Child Friendly School Initiative has made headway in enhancing the quality of education.
“Quality education is that which works for each child and enables all children to achieve their full potential,” said Ms. Cotton.
She noted that the initiative focuses on enhancing the school climate, the relationship between the school and the community, the empowerment of students, the beautifying of school environments and the engagement of students.
She further noted that these are all areas the education officials have evaluated and have encouraged schools to improve on.
“I think that today’s workshop will help us to hone those skills of evaluating what happens in our schools and what happens in our classrooms,” Ms. Cotton stated.
The workshop equipped the participants with tools to produce documents that will help education officials in St. Kitts and Nevis monitor and evaluate schools and classrooms.
Principal Education Officer in Nevis Palsy Wilkin expressed that she was pleased with the initiative which seeks to create positive, safe, healthy learning environments where all children reach their full potential.
“As educators, over the years we have worked tirelessly towards getting our students to realize their full potential,” she stated. “Through this framework, CFS, we recognise that we must place the child in the centre of all decision making.”
The Child Friendly Schools initiative has now been piloted in the 14 schools in St. Kitts and Nevis.