[UPDATED] Chief Sec: Buy books for children, take break from digital devices

CHIEF SECRETARY Farley Augustine has advised parents to give their children books as opposed to toys this Christmas.

He spoke to reporters on December 11 after delivering remarks at the opening of the Logos Hope at the Scarborough port, Tobago.

The ship, which has the world’s largest floating book fair, arrived on December 10 after visiting Barbados. It is expected to be in Tobago until December 26.

Augustine said he was not recommending that parents don’t buy toys.

“But I am recommending strongly that parents buy books. I want to encourage reading.

"It opens the imagination. It broadens the vocabulary. It allows people to know the stories and the narratives of people from far and wide and it allows people to have an appreciation for how other people around the world live and other cultures. You could get that from the written pages,” he told reporters.

Augustine added, “You see that thing called imagination, when you read and you have to imagine what’s in the pages because you can’t see the actual photo or the video, that helps with simple things like the essay writing or the creative writing. It helps with your ability to construct a prose, which is one of the weak areas, I think, when we look at students’ performance in examinations particularly at the SEA (Secondary Entrance Assessment) level.

"So parents, I will strongly recommend that you bring them here and allow them to get some books.”

He said he sometimes reads to his one-year-old daughter.

“We are getting her accustomed to liking and having books around as opposed to just the toys. So regardless of the age, come get them some books.”

Augustine said, though, that encouraging a culture of reading among young children in the age of social media can be challenging.

“We did not have cellphones, and in the villages few people had landlines and we all shared that. So it was much easier to organise a child around books at that time. We just did not have the internet as we have now.

“And when the internet eventually came, it was dial-up and that was somewhere when I was in sixth form and it took forever to even download a movie or to watch a video or download a song.”

Saying that children in Tobago now have high-speed internet and constant access, Augustine said parents must encourage them to shut off their devices and engage in outdoor activities.

“Those are critical components of their development.”

Earlier, at the opening ceremony, Logos Hope director Edward David said the vessel’s mission is to make a difference in the world through the sharing of knowledge in its book fair.

“Knowledge is fundamental to every person’s growth and it also lays a foundation for life’s opportunities,” he said.

David urged Tobagonians to explore the vast collection of books.

He said the ship was also about sharing hope and demonstrating God’s love through practical actions.

“We want to do this in partnership with local organisations so that we can support those in need. It is often said that without hope, the people perish. So as we build relationships with those we meet, whether it’s on the street, whether it’s in the community that we come into, our aim is to bring hope by sharing our stories of what God has done in our lives.”

Captain Matt Stephens, who joined the Logos Hope in the Caribbean with his wife and two children four years ago, said people from 65 countries were represented on the ship.

Stephens said people often ask him about how the staff and volunteers get along in a world that is so divided.

“I say we are not special but we serve a God that is very powerful, and we live in submission to him. This is what we have experienced on Logos Hope and that is a unique privilege,” he said.

Stephens said he was looking forward to meeting Tobagonians on the ship and exploring the island.

“The unique thing about our large family is that our house moves and now our home is actually part of your home.

Niall George, assistant secretary, Division of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities and Transportation, said many Tobagonians were eager to visit the ship.

“Many of our residents are excited about the opportunity to browse, purchase and discover stories from around the world. The joy of reading unites us all, sparking curiosity, knowledge and connection,” he said.

George said he looks forward to the cultural exchanges.

“Every interaction, whether through shared stories, cultural showcases or engaging conversations strengthens the bond between our communities. The spirit of sharing, learning and mutual respect is what makes your visit truly special.”

Among those attending were Progressive Democratic Patriots political leader Watson Duke, Minority Leader Kelvon Morris and independent senator Dr Maria Dillon-Remy.

This story was originally posted with the title 'Chief Sec: Give children books for Xmas' and has been adjusted to include additional details.

CHIEF SECRETARY Farley Augustine has advised parents to give their children books as opposed to toys this Christmas.

He spoke to reporters on December 11 after delivering remarks at the opening of the Logos Hope at the Scarborough port, Tobago.

The ship, which is the world’s largest floating book fair, arrived at the port from Barbados on December 10. It is expected to be in Tobago until December 26.

Augustine said he was not recommending that parents refrain from buying toys.

“But I am recommending strongly that parents buy books. I want to encourage reading. It opens the imagination. It broadens the vocabulary.

“It allows people to know the stories and the narratives of people from far and wide and it allows people to have an appreciation for how other people around the world live and other cultures. You could get that from the written pages,” he told reporters.

Augustine added, “You see that thing called imagination, when you read and you have to imagine what’s in the pages because you can’t see the actual photo or the video? That helps with simple things like the essay-writing or the creative writing.

“It helps with your ability to construct prose, which is one of the weak areas, I think, when we look at students’ performance in examinations particularly at the SEA (Secondary Entrance Assessment) level.

“So parents, I will strongly recommend that you bring them here and allow them to get some books.”

He said he sometimes reads to his young daughter, who is approaching two years old.

“We are getting her accustomed to liking and having books around, as opposed to just the toys. So regardless of the age, come get them some books.”