The UK Minister for Overseas Territories, Mr. Henry Bellingham, helped a student with a homework assignment at the Red Bay Primary School during his visit last week Friday, 20 April 2012.

The school tour provided the Minister with an opportunity to interact with some of the students, teachers and administrators in The Ministry of Education’s extended after-school programme. The Afterschool syllabus caters to ‘at-risk’ children from Red Bay, Prospect and the Lighthouse School.

This particular after-school programme is supported by the Governor’s Office through its project funds. Speaking to the group, Mr. Bellingham expressed his support for the offered curriculum, communicating how the dedication of mentors often resulted in opportunities for young people.

The Hon. Minister of Education, Training & Employment Rolston Anglin highlighted the importance, which the Cayman Islands Government has attached to this vital series of classes.

“The extended after-school programme initiative provides safe, productive and fun activities for our students, during the critical hours from 3:30-6:30, until parents are home from work. Programmes such as these are one of the most important investments we can make as a country to reduce opportunities for our children to get involved in inappropriate and harmful activities,” noted Mr. Anglin.

Minister Anglin further explained that, through partnerships with the Ministry of Sports, private sector individuals, agencies and other organisations, most government schools now have after-school programmes. Presently around 900 secondary students attend the programme offered to Clifton Hunter and John Gray students.

His Excellency the Governor Duncan Taylor and the Hon. Premier McKeeva Bush, OBE, JP, accompanied Mr. Bellingham on the tour. Others present included the Hon. Minister of Health, Environment, Youth, Sports & Culture Mark Scotland, JP, the Chief Officer of Health Jennifer Ahearn, the Chief Officer of Education Mary Rodrigues, the Ministry of Education’s Programme Coordinator for At-Risk Youth Michael Myles and Principal of Red Bay Primary Vickie Frederick-Best.

With the London 2012 Olympic Games less than 100 days away, Mr. Bellingham also used the opportunity to highlight the power of sport. He stated, “As the world turns their eyes and ears to London, we harness the power of the Olympic and Paralympics Games to inspire young people to participate in sports. Olympians demonstrate that sport is indeed an inspiration and a light to young people today.”

A number of Cayman’s Olympians were present during the visit: President of the Cayman Islands Olympic Committee Donald McLean (competed in sailing at the 1996 Atlanta Games) and Ms. Heather Roffey (represented the Cayman Islands at swimming at the 2004 Athens Games). Cayman’s future was also represented as Mr. Bellingham met two prospective Caymanian stars: 14-year-old Jeavhon Jackson and 15-year-old Tiffany Cole, both promising middle-distance runners.

(GIS)  Photo by Information Officer Kristi Anderson