As the country continues to observe activities marking the 2019 Nobel Laureate Festival, the Minister with responsibility for Education Hon. Gale Rigobert remains unwavering in her commitment to develop an education sector that is more inclusive and equipped with the resources to allow for all learners to maximize their capabilities.

The minister spoke at the 2019 National Awards of Excellence put on at the National Cultural Center by the Division of Education.

The introduction of smart classrooms, accompanied by the training of teachers to be technologically savvy, with the various learning modalities, the minister said, continues to be a priority for her ministry, in support of excellence in education.

The ministry’s vision is to create a culture of equity and equality where every learner is empowered and provided with the necessary resources and opportunities to excel optimally within their areas of interest and in keeping with their capabilities. The aim is to ensure that positive morals and attitudes, along with skills of critical thinking and digital literacy, as well as a culture of inclusion, equity, innovation and entrepreneurship are engendered within our schools.

Held since 2004, the National Awards of Excellence awards students who have excelled in the areas of sports, arts and academics and also educators for their outstanding service in education on the island. It was preceded by the School’s Music Festival which showcases the talents of students in song and the playing of musical instruments and was followed by the Walcott School’s Festival which celebrates the achievements of Nobel Laureate the late Derek Walcott and his twin brother the late Roderick Walcott with a production entitled Masquerade Master.

Ministry-Representative on the Nobel Laureate Festival Committee Kentillia Louis, said: “The first week of the Nobel Laureate Festival is dedicated to the schools, especially in the arts. So, in terms of ensuring the students are exposed to the art and understanding what this time is about and what we are celebrating, I think we have done a great job. With the Awards ceremony we were able to ensure that we highlighted all of the students and the employees who have done, in some way something to ensure the ministry continues its excellent work.”

The Ministry of Education also hosted a visiting group from the Caribbean Secondary School's Drama Association, based in Trinidad and Tobago. The group’s president, headed by Anderson Labarrie conducted workshops with students and teachers on culture forms and also paid a courtesy call on the minister for Education Hon. Dr. Gale Rigobert.