NPSC Calls for Children to be Equipped with Resources

The National Parenting Support Commission (NPSC) is encouraging parents to ensure their children are equipped with the tools and resources needed to facilitate remote learning as classes resume tomorrow, October 5.

There will be no face-to-face classes, but students can access learning via online learning platforms, television and radio educational broadcasts and through printed material supplied by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information.

Chief Executive Officer of the NPSC, Miss Kaysia Kerr explained that students who are considered most vulnerable in the education system are those on the Programme of Advancement Through Health & Education (PATH) and they will be provided with tablets. Thirty-Six Thousand (36,000) vulnerable students who are not part of that social protection programme, will also be supported through a $20,000 grant to purchase tablets.

“Certainly, not every student in every school will have tablets. Therefore, partnership in education is important. So, for those parents who can afford it, we are encouraging you to equip your children with the resources so they can have access to education,” Miss Kerr said.

The NPSC, an agency of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information says it has been working to provide information and support services to parents during the COVID-19 pandemic. It has started a series of Back to School Parent Information Sessions targeting all seven (7) Regions. The sessions which are streamed live on the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information social media platforms and on Zoom run for forty-five (45) minutes and allow parents to submit questions that are answered by experts during the stated period. Parents are also provided with helpline numbers to contact the Commission for further support.

“We believe that home and school have to partner because when we partner the success of students is sure. We know that parents want to see the best outcomes for their children and we, as educators, also want the best outcomes for all children,” Miss Kerr continued.

The NPSC has been mandated by the Government to provide improved coordination in the area of support to parents in an attempt to build the home-school relationship.