Free medical exams for students

Medical care is another incentive that the Ministry of Education has added to the nation’s school childrens’ education. This announcement was made Friday night by Hazel Manning, Minister of Education, at Sangre Grande on the PNM platform for the Local Government election. Mrs Manning said by  September 2003 at the beginning of the new school term all students will be getting free medical examinations. Already she said, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health are working hand in hand to have this health scheme come on stream. The Minister of Education said every child can learn his or her lesson. She added that every child who wants to become a lawyer, doctor, teacher or police officer should not be prevented from such educational privileges and this is why the government is trying to meet these needs. Manning said the new curriculum includes, learning to play the steelpan, story telling, grooming positive leaders etc, to encourage students to stay in school and not get involved in drug-taking. She called on parents to assist in discipling their children. She advised them to assist their children with their home work and encourage them to get at their books.

She also reminded parents that bus tickets have been sent to schools for students to travel to their respective schools and they should request these tickets from principals.  No excuses should be accepted for children staying at home, Mrs Manning said. The Minister of Education made a special appeal to parents and guardians to care for the text books which would be distributed to their children at the beginning of the new school term. These books are on loan and must be returned in good condition at the end of the school year. “There is no excuse for failure,” she added. They now have books, free meals, transport and medical care.