The Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training has started to create the framework for its Mental Health and Wellness Committee, and will seek Cabinet’s approval on Thursday, for its composition and operation.
This disclosure came today from Minister with responsibility for that portfolio, Santia Bradshaw, as she addressed a virtual press conference to give an update on how the eruption of the La Soufriere volcano in St. Vincent had affected schools, and she announced a delay of the commencement of the third term.
Ms. Bradshaw said the mental health and wellness of teachers and students was of paramount importance to Government, hence its push to establish the committee.
“We will be taking the paper to be able to get the sign-off in relation to its composition, and then, we will be in a position to start working on ensuring that all of our stakeholders are better equipped to deal with mental health and wellness issues.
“But also, this forms part of a wider approach that we will take going forward, even within the wider curriculum, to be able to ensure that our students understand how to deal with these types of eventualities when they arise,” she explained.
The Minister pointed out that the Ministry had already started discussions with UNICEF to assist in the training of teachers over the coming weeks. It is understood that the work of the Committee is expected to start in earnest, once approved by Cabinet.
Meanwhile, during the press conference, Ms. Bradshaw gave the assurance that Government is committed to assisting St. Vincent and the Grenadines at this difficult time.
“So long as we have the ability to assist in taking in students or in helping in any way; you know we are prepared to do so,” she stated.