Nevis, West Indies. ?A Non-Tourist-Trap? Blog About Nevis.

Carlisle Powell – Public Works Minister

Charlestown, Nevis
January 10, 2012

The time has come for parents to be held accountable for paying damages caused by their children to school buildings and furniture. That was the view expressed by Minister responsible for Communications, Public Works, Public Utilities, Posts, Physical Planning, Natural Resources and the Environment on Nevis Hon. Carlisle Powell, when he delivered a report on his Ministries at the most recent sitting of the Nevis Island Assembly in December.

According to Mr. Powell, the Public Works Department (PWD) continued to be stretched by the demands of unscheduled maintenance of some Government Schools.

“There are times when as soon as we complete repairs on some government schools, some misguided children promptly destroy or disfigure the same or another part of the building or furniture.

“The time has come when we ought to consider holding parents responsible for paying for the damages cause by their children. That is what happens in other islands, we in Nevis must shift this burden on the shoulders of the offenders instead of the government. Certainly we can no longer turn a blind eye to vandalism nor can we ignore the destruction of government property,” he stressed.

The Minister publicly praised the PWD team for their achievements and noted that many of their projects had helped to reduce the huge cost of rental space for government offices.

Mr. Powell also served notice that the NIA would re-examine all its rental arrangements to ensure that it was getting the best space available at the best prices and those considered no longer cost effective would be discontinued.

Notwithstanding, he listed a number of other projects the PWD were involved in that were either completed or were in the process of designing.

“The second floor of the PWD office at Prospect; the second floor of the Labour department office in Charlestown; a proposed second floor for the Treasury; plans for the rehabilitation and expansion of the old Bath House; preliminary design and evaluation for an expansion to the St. Thomas’ Pre School; a second floor to a section of the Gingerland Secondary School; renovations to the existing NEVLEC office in Charlestown and the addition of another floor and we [PWD] will design the new Health Centre for Cotton Ground,” he said.

Mr. Powell also spoke to works the PWD had undertaken with regard to the restoration of the historic Bath Hotel to its former glory.

“This marvellous piece of architecture and magnificent historical site is where the office of the Premier is located. From a building falling apart it’s now a building that stands apart,” he said.

Related posts:

1. Nevis Government To Open Four New Buildings By 2012
2. St. Kitts – Nevis’ PM Encourages Youths To Read
3. St. Kitts – Nevis Government To Support Troublesome Youths
4. Nevis Premier Acknowledges NRP Stalwarts And Youths
5. Youths Commended For Understanding History Of St. Kitts – Nevis

Nevis Premier – Joseph Parry

Charlestown, Nevis
December 18, 2011

“Young people in Nevis need to speak their minds,” Premier and Minister of Education, the Hon. Joseph Parry admonished scores of Nevisian educators during the 2011 Teachers’ of Excellence Awards Ceremony held at the Four Seasons Resort Nevis  on Saturday evening.

The event is held annually by the Department of Education to honour the service of distinguished men and women who over the years contribute selflessly to the development of Nevis in the field of education.

“I grew up always hearing that children should be seen and not heard. I went to Sixth Form and I heard people speak and I said nothing. I went to the University of the West Indies, and I heard people speak and I said nothing. It was not until my wedding day that I spoke to a crowd and I haven’t stopped since,” the Premier told his clearly amused audience.

He said that a child expressing him or herself is very important for good growth, and to assist with making contributions to the ever-changing world.

The Premier asked the teachers to encourage students to speak up, and to practice public speaking in front of others at an early age.

“Have the children speak about a story or an experience, and tape it for television so that they can see themselves on NTV,” commented Mr. Parry.

He told the educators that it is part of their role to help the children open up, instead of grappling with small- minded things. “Let them appreciate others around them, parents, other students, people in the community,” the Premier advised.

“I look around the room and I see outstanding persons including the President of the Nevis Island Assembly Mrs. Christine Springette, Deputy Premier the Hon. Hensley Daniel, and Director of Library Services, Mrs. Sonita Daniel, and I know that they have been outstanding teachers and they encouraged many persons in Nevis to be their best and to have a voice. I encourage all the educators this evening to carry on the torch and be teachers of excellence”, concluded the Premier.

During the prestigious event, a total of eight teachers received the coveted title of Teacher of Excellence. They are: Mrs. Lineth Williams, Mr. Kirmani Webbe, Ms. Tanisha Dalton, Ms. Petrona Freeman, Ms. Shenella Joseph, Mrs. Suzette Sampson, Ms. Trecia Williams and Ms. Adebimpe Akomolafe.

Each Teacher of Excellence received a certificate of recognition, a laptop, a cash award and a plaque.

The awardees were selected by their peers and approved by the Principal. They were also required to submit a teaching portfolio, a video recording of an in-class session, and a pre-recorded interview which was aired on NTV Channel 8 prior to the awards ceremony.

The second category acknowledged during the ceremony was Exemplary Reading Recovery Teachers, Mrs. Terres Dore, Mrs. Julie Pemberton, Mrs. Judy Parris-Rawlins, Mrs. Omelle Browne and Ms. Leona Freeman. In the third category Recent Retirees Mr. Oliver Beazar and Mrs. Gurtis Brown were applauded for their work of educating young people.

The Premier congratulated all of the award recipients and said he wished them well in all their future endeavors.

Related posts:

1. Nevis Premier Encourages Women To Speak Out
2. Premier Asks Police Force to “Reach Out to the Young.”
3. Youth Month Brings Out The Best In Young People
4. Nevis Premier Continues To Reach Out To The People
5. 500 Young People To Participate In YES Program

Ground Breaking Ceremony For Teachers’ Union Building
Photo By Erasmus Williams

Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
October 15, 2011

Turning of the sod to mark the construction of a headquarters of the St. Kitts Teachers Union is a milestone that illustrates the level of unity in the organisation.

So says St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas, whose administration has delivered on its promise to allocate land for the teachers’ headquarters.

Delivering remarks at the ground breaking ceremony, Prime Minister Douglas congratulated the members and executive of the St. Kitts Teachers’ Union on behalf of the Government and people of the twin-island Federation and hailed the announcement by the union to establish a Teachers Credit Union and mobilise retired reachers.

Dr. Douglas, a former teacher said members of the union must be very excited and proud of this milestone.

“The construction of your headquarters is an important step that illustrates the level of unity in the organization. This is good; because through this kind of solidarity, you can make the significant changes that you seek in your profession. We know that teachers perform one of the most important duties and roles that impact on an individual’s educational development, as well as the long-term impact on the nation,” said Prime Minister Douglas.

He commended the St. Kitts Teachers’ Union for the hosting an exceptional week of activities that has helped to further the cause of the organization and promote understanding and stimulate greater support from among the public.

“This I believe that you seek to do in your effort to make a significant difference in the lives of our nation’s children. Such is the responsibility that you take for yourselves, as teachers, in a challenging environment. The fact is that the reshaping of our youth and our society is one that calls for real collective and supportive action from every stakeholder,” Prime Minister Douglas told the President Mr. Ron Collins, Executive Officers and members at the ceremony.

“We all want our young people to have the necessary academic qualifications, but more that, we want them to have the confidence to make their mark in society,” said Dr. Douglas, who added that stakeholders want students to excel in every sphere of endeavour, to be highly motivated to be creative and to be positive thinkers.

“The Union represents, therefore, a vehicle for those in the profession to dialogue on a variety of issues, and to facilitate solutions that are of great benefit to all concerned. This is a responsibility that the Union must not take lightly, but must work to be leader in the field of education,” he said.

Prime Minister Douglas called on the union membership to keep in focus the continued improvement in the profession, in order to have greater positive impact on the nation’s students.

“I wish the St. Kitts Teachers’ Association ever success, and I look forward to great achievements in your progressive Union,” said Dr. Douglas who hailed the announcement by the union to establish a Teachers Credit Union and the mobilisation of teachers who are in retirement.

“There is so much that can be learnt and receive from these two activities that have been identified I give you my personal support and that of the Government and as we move forward in making the society a progressive one,” said Prime Minister Douglas.

The ground breaking ceremony was chaired General Secretary Mrs. Carleen Henry-Morton and the Welcome Remarks by Vice President, Mrs. Valerie Richardson-Mason. The Feature Address was delivered by the Teachers Union President Mr. Ron Collins.

Prime Minister Douglas, Union President, Mr. Collins and former Presidents Clyde Christopher and Clyde James turned the sod.

Related posts:

1. Construction Begins On St. Kitts’ Sandy Bank Bay Beach Club
2. Premier Parry Celebrates World Teachers Day on Nevis
3. Construction Begins on Kittitian Hill Tourism Resort
4. PM Douglas Announces High School Teachers To Receive Laptops
5. Nevis Needs More Male School Teachers