Taking advantage of the right to an education can help the youth safeguard themselves against unemployment.
Senator Harcourt Husbands hammered home this point yesterday as he spoke to hundreds of schoolchildren at the annual World Children’s Day celebrations at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.
In brief remarks, Husbands told the children the Convention On The Rights Of The Child gave them several advantages which, in his time, were not extended to children.
However, the Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education warned the children that with these rights came responsibilities.
“One of the major challenges you will confront, and especially those of you who are in the senior school and looking to leave school next year or very soon, is that of youth unemployment,” Husbands said.
“But you also have a role to play in safeguarding yourself, protecting yourself against future unemployment. And how can you do that?” the senator asked.
“It links back to the right that you have to that education. Make full use of it,” he advised.
Husbands explained that education did not just mean the formal aspect, but other areas like sports.
As the morning’s concert was children-focused, the programme featured presentations and performances by youngsters.
From the skilfully acrobatic performance of the Michael Taitt Tumblers, to the graceful moves of the Praise Academy of Dance and renditions by the Charles F. Broomes Choir, there was lots of talent on display.
Also performing were the Coleridge & Parry Secondary School Choir, the Ace Dance Centre, a quintet from Queen’s College and a duet from the Gordon Greenidge Primary School. (AD)
