The Ministry of Agriculture has donated plant materials to the East La Penitence Primary School as part of its collaboration with the education ministry to reintroduce agriculture into the school system.
According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud handed over the items to Headmistress of the school Rachel Gaskin in the presence of Senior Mistress Coretta Mc Donald and students. Persaud said that the school could “act as a catalyst” and be a model for others in this venture. He said too reintroducing agriculture into the school system would help to spark children’s interest in this field.
The minister said it is important that students are informed about agricultural practices from the time of planting to harvesting and packaging. He said teachers would be expected to inform students about lucrative careers in agriculture and parents are encouraged to support their efforts. Persaud also said although the school was in the city the practical aspects of agriculture can still be taught by using boxes and other containers to grow plants. The ministry will provide technical assistance and two trained personnel from Cuba will be assisting the education ministry with its agriculture curriculum. Residents are also encouraged to become involved in agriculture for their own economic benefit.
In response the headmistress expressed gratitude for the ministry’s support as it will boost the school’s efforts to improve it agricultural capacity. Gaskin said too the school has had a garden since 2002, an initiative of a member of the Parent Teachers Association who is the gardener. She said too the produce from the garden is often used to provide the students with hot meals prepared by the school kitchen at a reasonable price. McDonald added that the school has a large gardening space that would be utilized by various classes which would each be given a different plot to help cultivate.
