Group to advocate for parents

 

The new executive of the Barbados National Council of Parent-Teacher Associations (BNCPTA) is seeking during its tenure to increase the public’s awareness of the Association and encourage more parents to get involved in the domestic PTAs across the island.
 
The Public Relations Officer of the BNCPTA, Donna Sealy, speaking to the media after a service at the Mount of Praise Wesleyan Holiness Church, where the new Executive Committee was installed, explained that it is important that parents understand that they have a body they can turn to when they have concerns regarding their children and the schools.
 
“We’re not a union, we’re just going to advocate for parents… [But] that is one of the biggest challenges we have right now, that the people we are trying to reach – our main constituents – do not necessarily know that we are there to help and that we provide and can provide a great resources for them; whether at the domestic PTA level or a national level,” she said.
 
Her comments came moments after the Reverend Ronnie Quimby, Assistant Pastor of the Mount of Praise Wesleyan Holiness Church, delivering the sermon entitled ‘Building Strong Lives; Living Out the Power of God’, told the congregation that in the face of societal challenges, each individual has a role to play to. As such, he told the congregation that when they see things that are wrong, rather than thinking is not their business, speak out against it and try to rectify the problem. A challenge he also issued to the BNCPTA.
 
‘Be your brother’s keeper’ 
“You’re driving on the road or you’re walking on the road and something happens, you see two children behaving bad, you look the other side. Why? Because that ain’t none of my business. Why? Dem ain’t mine. They may marry to one of yours though; they may go school with one of yours though. 
 
“You’re at school or you’re at work and something is going on at work, crisis is hitting at work, you can see the boss looks troubled, and what do you say – that ain’t none of my business, this ain’t my business, this ain’t my company, but if it shuts down you will be looking for a job,” he said.
 
Reverend Quimby added, “I wanted to drive home the point that you cannot live your life as though your life is separate from other lives… The bible tells us that in the body of Christ we are one, and you should be what? Your brother’s what? Keeper.”
 
The call to get involved is one of four things Pastor Quimby suggested individuals should do to make their lives count. He added they should also not despise their beginnings; live to add value to others and live out their faith. (JRT)

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