The Gender Affairs Division hosted an orientation session on 19th July, 2019, for thirty (30) teen mothers who are registered under the Re-Entry of Teen Mothers Programme in 2019. This brings the total number of students who were given the opportunity to continue their secondary education for the 2019/2020 academic year to 85.
The back-to- school teenage parent’s programme was introduced in June 2003 to facilitate the re-entry of teen parents into secondary school in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The Programme forms part of the inclusive education policy of the government, through the collaboration of the Ministries of Education and National Mobilisation et al; facilitated through the Gender Affairs Division. The Ministry of Education provides the classroom space and delivery of the prescribed academic programmes for the teen mothers, while the Ministry of National Mobilisation provides the follow-up and support services required.
The main objectives of the session were: (i) to provide relevant information about the programme, and (ii) to table the expectations of the participants.
Remarks were provided by Mrs. Kay Martin-Jack, Senior Education Officer/Secondary Schools; Mrs. La Fleur Quammie-Harry, Co-ordinator (Ag.), in the Gender Affairs Division; and Ms. Colchia Phillips, Facilitator.
On August 28, 2019, all teen mothers on the programme will be involved in an empowerment session that would focus on parenting, sexual health, the use of contraceptives and social skills.
SOURCE: Ministry of National Mobilisation, Social Development, Family, Gender Affairs, Persons with Disability and Youth
