Anguilla is observing 25 years of the Organisation of Early Childhood Education on the island this month. A series of activities began with a divine service at the Christian Assembly Church at Blowing Point on Sunday, March 7. There Pastor Ambrose Richardson welcomed a number of teachers and spoke on the importance of training young minds in educational and spiritual values.

The official opening ceremony for Childhood Education Month was held at the Teachers’ Resource Centre on Monday, March 8. It was presided over by President of the Organisation, Tricia Rey-Hughes.

The feature address was delivered by Patricia Beard, founder of the organisation, now Senior Health Educator and AIDS Coordinator. She commended the teachers and other persons who shared in the vision of Early Childhood Education. She stated that a strong preschool education would enable children to be better prepared for primary school and was about “strengthening a foundation for life.”

Brief remarks were delivered by Tom Wright and Professor Bonita Klemm, representatives of State University of New York (SUNY) from which six Anguillian preschool teachers received training. The tutors were presented with certificates. Mr. Wright spoke about the work of the university and its benefits to students from Anguilla. He also read a letter from the principal who praised them for their work and extended an invitation to others to study at the institution.

Childhood Education Month was officially opened by Acting Minister of Education, Victor Banks. He said the 25-year-old milestone of Early Childhood Education was not only a celebration of the past, but a promise of hope for the future. “I believe that the theme Early Childhood Education Changing Our World with a Solid Foundation is a powerful statement about the awesome responsibility we all have in providing nurturing support to our children at this critical stage,” he said.
He included in that responsibility teachers, parents, government, community groups, churches, corporate Anguilla and all caring citizens who would want to secure a solid foundation for the fragile young children.

Mr. Banks noted that the island could not afford to shortchange the Early Childhood Education programme, despite the fact that there were other important programmes in the social sector competing for support.

“The series of activities is crucial to bring to the attention of the national stakeholders the top priority rating which we place on Childhood Education in the national scheme of things,” he went on. “In my capacity as a minister of Government, I feel confident in pledging our assistance to ensuring that the programme of Early Childhood Education receives the support it requires to meet the needs of Anguilla.”

Mr. Banks congratulated Mrs. Beard and all the other co-founders of the organisation, present and past educators and managers, for the excellent job they have done and were continuing to do for the island’s infant children.

Among the upcoming events are services for children in various churches throughout the island on March 15 and a grand parade and fun day on March 20.

Six teachers trained by SUNY Cobleskill

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