More men need to step forward and become involved in boys’ organisations in schools, President Jeffrey Bostic said Monday as he continued his island-wide school tour at St Lucy Primary.
Addressing pupils, teachers and volunteers after being welcomed by Cub Scouts, Brownies, Blossoms and Beavers at the Trents school, President Bostic said he had repeatedly noticed women leading boys’ groups during his school visits across the island.
“But the one thing that I recognised at the gate and with the honour guard, and seeing this too often during my school visits, I strongly believe that boys’ organisations should have men in charge and the same for girls’ organisations,” he said.
“But I thank the ladies who have stepped up to the plate to help with the boys because obviously the men seem to want to remain in the background.”
The President warned that he intended to challenge that trend: “I have news for you. I’m forming a group of some powerful men in this country and we’re coming after you. We have to have more men involved in these organisations.”
His comments came after acting principal Julie Anne Phillips-Castello highlighted the role uniformed organisations play at the school, saying staff and volunteers worked hard to guide students amid growing outside influences.
Principal acting of St Lucy Primary School Julie Anne Phillips-Castello. (Photo Credit: Lauryn Escamilla/Barbados TODAY)
“The dedicated members of staff work tirelessly in trying to inspire and encourage students to bring the best versions of themselves to school daily, as we have to compete with social media, games, and other outside influences which can have a negative impact on our children’s development,” she said.
Programmes including Blossoms, Beavers, Cub Scouts and Brownies were helping to build character, discipline and leadership among students, while sports and reading initiatives were also shaping “well-rounded individuals”, she said.
“Your Excellency, your visit today reminds our children that with hard work, discipline, and determination, they too can achieve great things and contribute meaningfully to our country.”
Throughout the morning, performances for the president included a special poem entitled ‘The President is Coming’, a rendition of Gabby’s Emmerton by the school choir – a favourite of Bostic’s – and a Cub Scout chant of “Barbados Ah Come From”.
Reflecting on hearing the song, Bostic became emotional as he recalled growing up in the Chapman Lane-Emmerton area before homes there were demolished decades ago, which inspired Gabby’s song.
“Yes, it left a pain in the hearts of all of us who live in that community,” he said. “We lived in a community that was poor, but we loved our community because we lived like a family and the spirit that we shared with each other.”
The President also used the occasion to encourage students preparing to transition to secondary school not to become consumed by school assignments or rankings. “It does not matter which school you are assigned to. You have to be assigned to some school; it is what you do when you get there that matters,” he told them.
President Jeffrey Bostic answering the question of a student. (Photo Credit: Lauryn Escamilla/Barbados TODAY)
“What your teachers really expect from you is that you will do your best in everything that you do. And where that takes you, that is fine.”
Drawing on his own experience attending the former St Mary’s Primary School, he said students from smaller schools should never see themselves as disadvantaged. “It does not matter how small your school is. Barbados is a very small country, but we don’t allow the small size of Barbados to stop us from doing good, from developing, and from punching above our weight.”
President Bostic also spoke about the Chapman Challenge initiative, which he said would begin from Classes Three and Four in September to help students transitioning from primary to secondary school remain grounded and focused. “Some of those things are right here in this school: the same guides and brownies, blossoms, cub scouts; these organisations are the ones that you need to continue when you go on to secondary school.”
Students later questioned the Head of State on topics ranging from how it felt becoming President and the responsibilities of the office to the importance of Independence.
(LE)
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