Basseterre, St. Kitts, September 8, 2022 (SKNIS): As schools across the Federation open their doors for the start of the 2022/2023 academic year, Minister of Education, the Hon. Dr. Geoffrey Hanley, visited Basseterre High School (BHS) on September 7 to impart words of encouragement to both teachers and students alike. “This is my school, therefore, it means some special attention must be given to my school, and I’m only seeing one of the teachers who’s still at this school from the time I entered in the 1980s and the teacher that is still here is Mr. Hicks. Now students, as we celebrate independence 39, under the theme “Refocus, Re-create, Redesign: Independence 39” I ask you during this academic school year to make sure that you refocus; you might have spent some idle time when you were in first form, second form, third form, fourth form and even up to fifth form and as you have moved up into your other grades and those that are coming in, I ask you this morning to make sure that you do some refocusing so that you can change the course going forward. As you recreate, I ask you to think outside of the box. I know many times we do not like to be given homework assignments, but as you plan in this academic year that is a very important component of your academic move,” said Minister Dr. Hanley. Minister Dr. Hanley also urged students to embrace their creative passion and express it in their academics as they strive for excellence. Further, Minister Dr. Hanley announced to the students and staff that plans are already underway to provide an alternative space for Basseterre High School. “We have a plan, so students, I bring to you the assurance that you will not be in this space for very long. We are already on the move in looking at building your Basseterre High School. As you go through this academic year, you are going to be hearing more about it and you will be seeing things happening. We are making sure that we upgrade all our educational institutions; no longer can we have bathrooms not working and that kind of stuff. So, I give you that commitment that I am going to be working overtime. And teachers when you see me in the school, I am not coming to check on you, I am coming to mix with the students, I want to feel their energy so that it can propel me to do even more work,” said Minister Dr. Hanley. Minister of Education Dr. Geoffrey Hanley has been meeting with the management staff of schools across the island ahead of the start of the new academic year in an effort to identify areas in which the Ministry of Education can provide further support. -30- |