Education Minister, Petter Saint Jean, has encouraged students of both the St. Mary’s Academy (SMA) and St Mary’s Primary (SMP) to seek ways to preserve the environment.
The Minister made that call while addressing a special assembly held at the SMA on Friday to observe ‘Green Day’.
“Over time, what we have seen with the technological advances that we have made, we have seen a de-emphasis on taking care of planet earth.We have seen our people deviating from what was the command and as a result, we have negatively impacted on our own survival here on planet earth,” he said. “The message therefore for you as young men, young Dominicans who will go out as the technicians, as the farmers, as the doctors, is to ensure that we keep what we have, that gift that we have…”
According to Saint Jean, Dominica has the distinct honour to be the sole Caribbean island that has remained so pristine that, “others are now jealous of what we have.”
“While we here in Dominica want to see advances in construction, advances in technology, we want to be fast like the other countries, we want to see these big hotel rings going up at various points on the island, the residents of Barbados and Jamaica, the residents of Trinidad they want their countries to be like Dominica,” Saint Jean explained.
He continued, “It means that we have a luxury that most countries do not enjoy. Let us work vigorously to keep Dominica pristine, to keep Dominica green.”
Saint Jean believes that the lesson that was learnt during the passage of Tropical Storm Erika on August 27, 2015 is, “a gentle reminder for everyone of us that if we don’t manage that gift that has been entrusted to us that we may just end up losing it.”
He proposed proper waste disposal as well as the manner in which trees are being cut down as being among some of the simple practices that need to be observed on a daily basis.
“Manage what we do at the home level and at school,” Saint Jean noted. “Dominica is ours to keep, it is not for the politicians or for the principals and staff it is for every one of us to ensure that we do the little that we can so that succeeding generations will enjoy the kind of pristine environment that we now have here in Dominica.”
National 4-H coordinator, Shirley Alexander, highlighted the importance of 4-H to the students in the context of the observance of Green Day and pointed to the club’s emphasis on agriculture.
“Imagine what it would be if you look out there and there is no green, litter or garbage all over the place. It would be upsetting…,” she remarked and encouraged clubites to continue to see the need to grow more, plant more, eat more of what is local.
4-H Club Co-ordinator for SMP and SMA, Bert Paul, praised the SMP students for demonstrating that youth, men and boys can indeed play a positive role in national development.
“Year after year, you seem to place focus on having a clean environment in our beloved country Dominica,” he told 4-H Club members. “Every one of us has a part to play to ensure that our country survives another 1200 centuries,” He pointed out.
Special recognition certificates were presented to students of the SMA for their dedication and hard work with the club over the past school year.
A display of beets and bell peppers grown by 4-H Clubites of both learning institutions also formed part of the celebration.
‘Green Day’ was celebrated under the theme: “Eat what we grow, grow what we eat”.
just want to point out a typo. The theme for this year’s green day is “Keeping Our Environment Green and Clean.” the other theme “Eat what we grow, grow what we eat”. was an error made upon the flyers at the schools.
Yes, students, listen to the Education Minister and practice his advice, to play a part in preserving the environment and keeping Dominica green. Your duty is also to inform others about it. Also remind them of not littering and to keep Dominica clean.
Beets and bell peppers are also my favorites. They are nutritious. You have a computer or tablet, Google their health benefits.
A healthy attitude should commence when young. If practiced, you will then mature into healthy adults.
Beets stain. I expect you were instructed how to handle them and cook them. They could be cooked, baked, roasted and juiced. You can also obtain this information by simply Googling it. Make beneficial use of your new technology.
Enjoy nutritious eating and drinking; everything in moderation. Keep healthy. Preserve your health. It is a great treasure.
Be diligent in your studies. Keep in mind the years and time fly and wait for no one. God bless!