Fellow Grenadians,
Child Month is traditionally celebrated in many countries of the world, including Grenada, during the month of October, and it provides us with a wonderful opportunity to shine a loving and caring light on children the world over. Children are our nation’s most precious resource and it is only fitting that we dedicate an entire month to once again ensure that this message is conveyed to our children and our nation.
This year’s theme is “Children’s Care and Education Matter: Let Children Grow, Glow and Flourish.” For this reason, we must focus on the general good health, care and education of our children.
Thirty-two years ago, in 1990, Grenada signed the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which calls on society to do its
utmost to promote the general welfare of the child. The government of Grenada, with the support of non governmental organisations, have passed legislation and developed policies and programmes aimed at improving the safety, security and standard of living of children.
General Good Health
According to national statistics, the health status of Grenada’s children has been steadily improving over the past twenty years. This includes a steady decline in the mortality of children under five from 22 per thousand in 1990 to 16 per thousand in 2020. Nutritional standards have improved and
the overwhelming majority of children under five receive all the recommended childhood vaccinations. The recent change in the daily school feeding programme to include bananas, a locally-grown fruit, is an encouraging start to promoting healthy eating habits of our children.
The Care We Give Our Children
The care we provide to our children compares favourably with other countries, although we still have room for improvement. Indicators suggest that our country is a leader in prenatal and early childhood care. Indeed, child mortality has been decreasing in Grenada over the decades.
Here in Grenada, medical personnel, parents and grandparents, especially women, shower an abundance of love and affection on our young ones. Yet, we can do more to
stem violence in the home and society against boys and girls and to ensure counselling and other services for our children’s mental health and overall well-being. Let us remember that children’s good health provides the foundation to ensure that they become our nation builders and leaders of tomorrow.
Children’s Quality Education
If Grenada’s transformation agenda is to be successful, quality education for all children is of paramount importance and must become a reality. Under Government’s transformation agenda, significant progress is being made in this regard. Indeed, a good education is a basic human right which helps to build character and confidence and teach children decision making, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. These are all life skills that children need during their childhood and, more importantly, during their entire adult lives. For this reason, we must focus on the acquisition of these skills at an early stage in children’s lives. It is an indisputable fact that quality education that is accessible to all reduces overall poverty and provides a solid foundation for Grenada to produce leaders who can confidently take their place anywhere in today’s world.
In an era of innovation and expanding opportunities, including digitalisation and rapidly developing technological applications, strong social connections and expanded career opportunities, let us renew and strengthen our commitment to the care, health, safety and full education of Grenada’s greatest and most valuable human resource – our children.
Fellow Grenadians, With tremendous pride in our nation’s children, and appreciation for all who love and care for them, it gives me great pleasure to declare open the October 2022 Child Month in Grenada.
Thank you.
