Minister urges Naparima girls to look forward to leadership

EDUCATION Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly has reminded Naparima Girls' High School students in San Fernando of the importance of fostering national pride.

She emphasised that this pride has been passed down through generations to help create the nation they envision.

Speaking at the school's Special Day and Awards ceremony at the Susamachar Presbyterian Church on October 18, the minister highlighted the significance of national pride and development, saying today's youths are the leaders of tomorrow.

She told the students, "You are our responsibility now to pass on that fire of national development…We want you to lead us and lead us to an even better job than we are doing."

Gadsby-Dolly noted that as Trinidad and Tobago celebrates 62 years of independence, people tend to compare it to other nations.

"At 62 years old, we are kind of at a crossroads, in the midst of 'bring back the old-time days' and 'never look back, look ahead.' There are some things that we have lost that need to be here," she said. "But there are some things that are ahead of us, and we need to look forward to. All of TT is invited to join us in this transformative journey."

She added that while TT is just over 60, the US is nearly 250 years old and Canada is 157.

"TT is so blessed to have invested so much in education because we want to ensure that as we do our part today, we prepare our young people to do exactly what we are doing and, in some cases, do it even better," Gadsby-Dolly said.

"What we all want is a progressive TT so that when we reach 160 or 250 years old, we can look back with pride in what we have built and accomplished."

She also celebrated TT's diversity.

"Our melting pot is a blessing. People come from all over the world and they are in awe that we can exist so peacefully. All of us have different backgrounds, ethnicities, and religions, existing in peace and harmony, tolerating everyone, and celebrating all. That is TT that we must never overlook."

The ministry, she said, offers a holistic education that includes theatre arts and music.

"We recognise that to develop ourselves, it is not just qualifications and skills. It is also the positive values, attitudes and behaviours that will take us there."

The Right Rev Daniel Chance, moderator of the Synod of the Presbyterian Church, remarked that the school remains one of the most sought-after secondary schools in the country.

"No doubt it is as a result of the reputation in academic excellence as well as the holistic development of every child. This was the vision of the pioneers, the founding mothers and fathers who established this school 112 years ago," Chance said.

San Fernando West MP Faris Al-Rawi and San Fernando East MP Brian Manning also attended the ceremony.

Students Jaeda Ar-Razi and Kurtijah Ross received the Class of 1984 Award for excellence in drama. This award is in honour of the late Mavis Lee Wah, a Jamaican-born actress and former principal.

Yaisa-Marie Lawrence was awarded the Justice Gillian Lucky Award for Creative Writing. Several other awards were also distributed.