Custos Says Country Must Provide Safer Environment for Children

Custos of Kingston, Hon. Steadman Fuller, has emphasised that the country needs to create a safer environment for the children, while ensuring that they exhibit good values and attitudes.

“A nation is judged, to a large extent, by how it treats its children and the elderly,” the Custos said.

Mr. Fuller was speaking at a National Child Month Committee (NCMC) Action Day project, which saw members of the NCMC along with community members constructing a fence around the play area of the Wilbert Stewart Basic School, in East Kingston, on May 29.

The project reflected the theme for Child Month, which was celebrated in May – ‘Children Safety and Security – Our Priority’.

The Custos said that Early Childhood education is important, in that it enhances cognitive, verbal and social developments, which make the children better prepared to enter higher learning.

“They are also less likely to exhibit delinquency and anti-social behaviour, but this can only be achieved if the children are allowed to grow up in a safe environment,” he said.

While commending the school’s administration for their sterling contribution to early childhood education, the Custos urged the adults to be more caring towards the nation’s children.

“This year’s Child Month observance focused on creating safe environments for our children, and today, Action Day, the NCMC is ensuring that this environment is created at this school,” Mr. Fuller said. He appealed to members of the school community to be good stewards of the institution, to remain vigilant and fight against theft and vandalism.

Action Day, which is the final activity within Child Month, creates an opportunity for schools, clubs, churches and youth groups to engage in activities reflecting the theme for the month.