Husbands: Take responsibility!

“Parents, the responsibility of rearing your children is yours”.
This reminder was issued by Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation, Senator Harcourt Husbands who further told parents and guardians that no matter how difficult situations may become they should not shirk from this responsibility.

Husbands gave the feature address during Saturday’s graduation ceremony for the Children Education Prevention Awareness Group (CEPAG) at the Church of the Nazarene Bank Hall. CEPAG is an initiative of The Centre for Counselling Addiction Support Alternatives (CASA) and the day’s ceremony carried the theme, “Making The Difference In Troubling Times”.

Husbands also encouraged parents in attendance to continue to love their children and to pay attention to them. He additionally lauded the members of CASA for the role they have played in shaping the 22 young graduates who participated in the ten week programme, which ran from February 4 until April 22.

Speaking directly to these graduates, he reminded them that though the knowledge given to them was offered freely, they should repay this kind act by being considerate to others and by doing their homework. He also told them they should listen to their parents, be humble and grateful as well as attend church regularly.

Over the ten weeks, the graduates on Saturdays were taught life skills. These included the importance of being punctual, being neat and tidy and how to deal with their feelings and emotions. They were also exposed to sessions focused on conflict resolution, self-esteem building, public speaking and drug education.

For youngsters sitting the Barbados Secondary Schools Entrance Examination in May, there was a session on transitioning from primary to secondary school. The programme additionally included select sessions for parents.