Minister of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs and Sports Hon. Silveria Jacobs this week commenced the Ministry initiative program within schools "Making a difference".
The Minister and members of her Cabinet are volunteering 30 – 45 minutes once per week to go to a school of their choice to read with a child, a group or a class; or assist with any other subject; assist in any other weak area; give assistance on projects or mentor a child or group of children.
Minister Jacobs would also like to see more parents volunteering their time. In doing so she is asking the employers to give the employees this time off to do so.
The reason the minister decided to start this program, she believes that it takes a community to raise a child. As an Educator, the minister saw that this was a well needed program and felt that she should lead by example.
Schools will receive an official letter from the minister endorsing volunteerism in the classrooms. Schools will be required to regulate the visits so that employees can justify the time spent away from their jobs.