Under the theme “New Faces of Democracy,” youth parliamentarians gathered in Parliament on Feb. 18, for the Independence Youth Parliament Debate.

The youth debate sought to discuss a number of issues including education reform.

The motion before Parliament was the establishment of a national curriculum that is balanced and broad-based, which fosters the holistic development of the child.

The youth Education Minister, Alens Plante, tabled the motion.

“In the past years, our knowledge regarding childhood development has expanded. At this stage, teachers and parents alike want more from their children’s education, that is in tune with each child’s unique needs and skills and one that prepares for adulthood. Rather than characterizing school subjects, the holistic approach seeks to empower children to use their academic learning as a foothold for their social and measurable skills. A holistic approach in building our students must prepare them for their future and help them tackle any of life’s uncertainties. An education system must focus the child as a whole which means it must cater to the physical, emotional, social and cognitive development of children. This, in turn, creates progressive thinkers of society.”

Youth Prime Minister, Shavonne Bryan, deemed that the establishment of the national curriculum was integral to education reform. He suggested that it should begin at the primary school level, with the introduction of an aptitude test.

“This aptitude test is not simply meant to be given to a primary level student and accessed by the teacher. The test ensures that the parents are included in the dialogue. We recognize the strength of families in this country. Where the parents are involved, holistically, the child develops. A lot of the deficiencies in homes are transferred to the school system. Children come from broken homes and deal with all sorts of social ills—from drug abuse, to physical and mental abuse. All of these factors come into play at the time a child may or may not decide to sit the common entrance examinations.”

The Independence Youth Parliament Debate was organized by the National Youth Council as part of activities for Saint Lucia’s 41st Independence Celebrations.