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by
John Emmanuel
September
8, 1997 -
Another session of the St. Lucia House of Assembly convened on Tuesday, 2nd September,
1997, with government ministers reporting to Parliament on their first 100 days in office.
The reports to the House on the first 100 days in office began with Deputy Prime Minister
and Minister of Education - the Hon Mario Michel, who spoke of the strides made to date in
what he termed "the strategic re-invention of the education system" to face the
challenges of the 21 century. The Minister made mention of transforming the old Ministry
by integrating education with Youth and Sport, together with government enacting new
legislation for education.
Mr. Michel reported that a series of visits to schools around the island had gotten
underway, with a decision to review the various educational zoning districts. Work he
reported had commenced on the construction of two new secondary schools in Soufriere and
Piaye, with an additional 2 schools to be built in
Babonneau and Augier, providing over 2000 new secondary school places. Secondary school
places the Minister told the House, was for the first time, being provided to all students
receiving 100 marks or more, in the Common Middle School Examinations.
Some 2.5 million dollars the Education Minister said, would go towards the refurbishing of
schools island wide this year alone, with the ministry carefully examining contractors
ability at delivering quality work.
The Ministry he reported, had also sought to ease the squeeze on parents by way of text
books prices, with government transferring discounts to parents, on locally written CAMDU
texts.
Mr. Michel reported that monies secured from diplomatic initiatives from both the Peoples
Republic of China and the government of Taiwan, will go towards the setting up of a Text
Book Rental Scheme, and Education Trust Fund and Text Book Assistance for under privilege
children.
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Tourism would be next on the agenda, with Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister the Hon
Phillip J Pierre, speaking of his ministry's attempts at reshaping the Parks and Beaches
Commission, giving it greater scope. He spoke of attempts at speeding up the decision
making process with other ministries impacting on the Tourism Industry, via various
committees.
The re-sapping of the Ministry of tourism, together with the St. Lucia Tourist Board he
reported had gotten underway, with increase communication ties amongst the main promotion
and marketing bodies, greater accountability as well as feedback.
The matter of air lift he told the house was receiving added attention, with government
giving support to local carrier Helen Air, in its bid to change from chatter to scheduled
service. The Air Jamaica Montego Bay Hub was also being supported.
Visitor harassment on the island the minister reported was down to receive much needed
attention, with the ministry to adopt a new approach.
The minister said a new role for the Soufriere Development Foundation has thus far been
outlined, making the Foundation of more benefit to Soufriere residents.
On the issue of the introduction of gaming facilities to St. Lucia, Mr. Pierre said with
government having the political will, a decision on the issue will be taken shortly.
Meantime a special committee he said had been set up, to examine all aspect of gaming
facilities on the island.
Remaining reports on the first 100 days in office were delivered by Culture Minister the
Hon Damain Greaves, Commerce and Industry minister the Hon Dr. Walter Francois, Labour and
Legal Affairs Minister the Hon Velon John and Agriculture Minister the Hon Cass Elias, who
spoke of the restructuring of the SLBGA, the St. Lucia Marketing Board and the Certified
Farmer Programme.
The Minister informed the House that the much awaited decision of the World Trade
Organization, would be announced on September 9.
Regional Agriculture Officials he said would subsequently meet in Dominica to plot
strategies on the way forward.
On the issues of health care, Health Minister the Hon Sarah Flood, reported that any
significant improvement in the health sector, would be via major health reform.
The island's oldest medical institution - the Victoria Hospital, the minister told the
House, was a sore point, where hard and critical decision were to be made.
Minister Flood reported that during her first 100 days in office, her ministry was able to
abolish the fees paid at health centres island wide.
The sitting of the House meantime, ended with the passage of the National Youth Council
Incorporation Bill, which went through its second and third readings. The Bill drew wide
ranging comments from Parliamentarians, ranging from the Prime Minister the Hon Dr. Kenny
Anthony, Opposition Leader the Hon Louis George to the youngest member of the house -
Parliamentary Secretary and Parliamentary Representative for Castries South- East the Hon
Menissa Rambally.
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