In St Vincent and the Grenadines news. LAYOU, ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES; Thursday November 21, 2013 – Teachers and parents of pre-schoolers attending the Vinsave Preschool at Layou can now breath sighs of relief following the construction of a new facility on the site of the old wooden, dilapidated building which was once the primary teacher’s residence.
The new Vinsave Layou Preschool (photo courtesy Robertson S Henry)
There was very limited storage, floor and yard space, and few pieces of equipment for play to be used by the children indoors and outdoors. Both preschoolers and teachers shared the single toilet, and everyone complained incessantly about the building’s poor condition and safety.
The conditions, which existed then, had forced some parents to withdraw their children from the school, or were refusing to send them to attend classes for safety reasons, soon forced the closure of the building in early 2012 for safety concerns.
Hon Maxwell Charles speaking (photo courtesy Robertson S Henry)
Subsequent to a request by Vinsave to the Basic Needs Trust Funds, several visits were paid to the site and discussions with the Director Mrs. Fraser and other stakeholders, the BNTF determined that more than restorative works were needed.
The location of the building on a blind corner presented a major traffic and pedestrian hazard, and attempts were made to find a suitable alternative location.
With input by the Physical Planning Department and the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, a design was approved ensuring improved pedestrian and vehicular safety at the corner of the road. Additionally the open gutter was covered to form a pedestrian sidewalk.
Following the approval of the design by CDB-appointed consultant Gleans Engineering of Grenada, who also supervised the construction of the new building which was undertaken by Grenadines Construction (SVG) Ltd., at a cost of EC$423,000.00. An additional EC$36,000.00 is being spent on indoor and outdoor playing and other equipment, and is expected to be supplied and installed by Christmas 2013.
Speaking at the official handing over ceremony of the new facility on Thursday November 21, 2013, Parliamentary Representative for the Central Leeward Constituency Honourable Maxwell Charles praised the teachers of the Layou Pre-school.
According to Honourable Charles, “You existed and performed creditably over the years. I know this because my first son was a recipient of your education, and I noted well his social, physical and mental development as the weeks and months passed.”
GG Sir Ballantyne assisting in the ribbon cutting (Photo courtesy Robertson S Henry)
The Parliamentary Representative said the school prepared him and others in good stead for life at the primary school and other educational institutions that followed.
“Your activities set up the little ones for a lifetime of learning and success. The importance of the games such as the building blocks that fall sometimes, problem-solving techniques, and allowing the children to make their own little mistakes and still feel good about themselves,” Charles added.
Moreover, he admired the way the children are congratulated on their successes, which will make them grow into confident young people, and the manner in which they get along with each other.
Charles who is also the Minister for National Reconciliation, Information, the Public Service, Labour, and Ecclesiastic Affairs, called on parents to “reinforce the learning by doing your part at home.”
He noted that the younger parents might be problematic, but called on the Parent Teachers’ Association playing its part and ensuring that all benefit from the operations of the Vinsave Layou Pre-school.
He noted that despite the many trials faced in previous years because of the poor conditions, the teachers stuck to their tasks, and must be highly commended for that.
Honourable Charles called on the teachers to also be mothers to the children, and quoted the biblical passage, “Train up a child in the way he should grow and he will not depart from his ways.”
He noted that both parents and teachers should let them enjoy their days so as they grow into adults they will remember their preschool days. He reiterated the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines continued collaborating with the BNTF, “for we receive value for our money.”
Patron of VINSAVE and Governor-General of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sir Frederick Ballantyne in his brief address to the gathering, spoke of the need for such institutions as the Vinsave Layou Pre-school and the role they play in nurturing the men and women of tomorrow.
An increase in the student population is expected to reach almost 50 by January 2014. The population has doubled over the past few months from 188 to 36, as the new Vinsave Layou Pre-school upon opening its doors has given confidence to the residents of Layou and surrounding communities that their children are being schooled in a safe environment, conducive to learning.
