by B. Roach :
UNICEF’s Chief of Education
Mr. Wycliffe Otieno, PhD
UNICEF’s Chief of Education for the Eastern Caribbean Area, Mr. Wycliffe Otieno, PhD, made a two-day visit to Montserrat, following which he told the press he will be back more frequently. Sitting with Early Childhood director, Dr. Sheron Burns, he thanked the press at a press conference on Thursday, June 20.
“…you are all significant partner in sending out messages to the public, to governments, to the private sector, to the children themselves, without you it would be impossible to for this messages to go across…” he told GIU, ZJB, and The Montserrat Reporter, all who engaged him along with Dr. Burns in an informative discussion at the press conference.
The UNICEF chief met with several key officials who included Minister of Education the Honorable Colin Riley, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of education Phillip Chambers, Director of Education Glen Francis, and Cabinet Secretary Angela Greenaway among others.
He reported to the media that one of the issues that emerged from his meeting with officials is the need to place less emphasis on academic success, saying that students who have not done well in a particular subject should not be labeled as a ‘failure’.
Early Childhood director
Dr. Sheron Burns
“There is too much focus on academic success that if you don’t get the 5 CXC’s, if you don’t pass your exams then you are seen to be a failure, but that is far from the truth,” he said.
He later stressed on the topic that, “…education isn’t just about academics there is more to it and for this reason UNICEF is going to work with governments in the region to support sports for development generally, and physical education and sports in particular…”” he added.
He spoke of a concern about the high level obesity among children, that Minister Colin Riley has expressed. “We intend to address partially the problem of childhood obesity…”Dr. Otieno also mentioned.
He announced that this first visit was familiarisation one to learn about the Montserrat Government’s plans.
He was pleased as he expressed appreciation for the plans. “Let me say, we do appreciate the willingness of the government of Montserrat to partner with UNICEF and the UN family as a whole in ensuring that the rights of children are protected and advanced and the opportunity is catered for them to realize their full potential,” he concluded.
He expressed appreciation also to the Ministry of education, “for a very forthright education sector development plan which clearly articulates what the government is going to do to address the needs of its children.”
Before his departure as his visit coincided with the observation and celebrations of Early childhood month, Dr. Otieno toured and visited today, the Brades nursery and St. John’s Daycare, visiting also the Look Out nursery school. He witnessed some of the month’s special visitors day program.
