Commentary

Better learning facilities for kids

A STORY IN yesterday's STAR spoke about the poor conditions at some of the island's basic schools which now require serious attention.

According to the story, students at one school were using a bench as a makeshift slide. Pictures along with the story showed that the students were being housed in a building made of wooden stilts and zinc roof.

One has to wonder if the Goverment's commitment to education is purely lip service. Despite several discussions and a National Taskforce on Education, children continue to study in some very deplorable conditions.

The fact is, how can we expect children to learn in conditions which pose a serious risk to their safety and health?

One also has to wonder how the staff of these institutions remain positive and focused about going to work in these poor working conditions.

The early years in a child's life have been described as one of the most crucial periods of his or her learning and development, but the state of the early childhood sector does not reflect the authorities' recognition of this fact.

The Ministry of Education often states that 'each child must learn' but they must fulfil their mandate and provide all the appropriate facilities so that each child will have the facilities to do so.