HON. SHAWN EDWARD ADDRESSED STAFF FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE ASSUMING OFFICE.
Newly appointed Minister for Education, Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology and Vocation Training, Hon. Shawn Edward, on Tuesday, Aug. 10, met with staff of the Ministry for the first time since assuming office.
Hon. Shawn Edward along with Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology and Vocation Training, Honourable Dr. Pauline Antoine-Prospere held discussions with the various Heads of Department and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education.
Honourable Edward said he is looking forward to forging cordial relationships for a healthy work environment given how critical the Ministry is to the overall development of the Nation.
“I try to underscore as much as possible, the importance of what we do in the Ministry of Education unlike other agencies like the Ministry of Infrastructure where they deal with concrete and steel, we are dealing with impressionable young lives and how well we deliver in this Ministry can determine the quality of citizens we out there to serve our country in the future”.
Honourable Shawn Edward noted that he has assumed office amid pressing issues confronting the education sector. A priority for the Minister is overseeing the successful opening of the new academic year on September 6, 2021.
“I know there are ongoing works at a number of schools. I will be apprised by the Works Unit on the status of the works. Once that is done, I will take to the field to see for myself how well the various contractors are progressing”.
Honourable Edward said his function as Minister is to provide policy oversight and ensure that the education sector advances.
“There are a lot of technical and competent people working in this Department of Government and once I can get them to deliver and account for the Government’s time and execute the various programmes that have been agreed upon by way of a policy position of this administration I would have done my job. Success in the education fraternity or sector is heavily dependent on the quality of relationship we forge, we foster, we build with the various stakeholders in Education. They include, the Teachers union, the Student Council, parents, I mean the entire education fraternity must work as one if this department of government is to succeed and deliver to the people of this country”.
Honourable Shawn Edward brings some 20 years of experience as an educator at the primary and secondary levels to his Ministerial role. Parliament Secretary, Honourable Dr Pauline Antoine Prospere is also a veteran educator of 37 years with 17 of those years as a Principal.
