Educate children about society's ills, says Sharon Rowley

Sharon Rowley, wife of the Prime Minister, wants to see greater effort being made to educate children about the ills of society.

At a World Read Aloud Day event at the Hermitage Presbyterian Primary School in San Fernando on Wednesday, she spoke to students thereabout the importance of education, equality, compassion towards others and obeying laws.

Rowley told Newsday, after reading a story, that she wanted to engage the students at that level because of the problems being faced in the country.

“Domestic violence and crime are prevalent, and it is important that our young people understand what is respect and moral values. Once we have that, we have no fear in the future.

“The problems we have in our society start down below and we have to get our children educated about what the future holds. We have to get them educated about the ills of our society.”

Rowley encouraged the students to practise kindness and respect which will bring about change.

“There is nothing stopping anyone from doing any job they want to do. If a woman wants to become a construction worker, she can.

“Each of you must be able to be independent, get your education, get your job and make your own money.”

She urged the students to respect each other’s differences and not engage in bullying.

“We need to understand that we are all equal and, most importantly, we must be kind to each other.”

The event was spearheaded by Hodder Education – a United Kingdom publishing company, with support from the Ministry of Education and NALIS. It aims to promote literacy in schools and to develop a child’s thinking, listening and conversational skills.

Hodder Educational consultant Penelope Roodal-Mohammed said the event was run by a non-profit organisation – Lit World, and Hodder facilitates the event in the country.