Dominica’s Chief Education Officer, Melena Fountain has appealed to parents to play a greater role in their children’s development.
Fountaine addressed the 50 More Dominica Youth Summit, which was organized by the “I Have a Right Foundation” in collaboration with “I am a Girl Barbados.”
She stated, parents have the first responsibility to build leadership and empower their children to be advocated for positive change in the future.
Fountaine during her address stated that parents are the first socializing agent of their children, the school actually comes after” she stressed the importance of parents role in the development and the survival of their children.
She spoke of basic needs that parents are responsible for such as, food, clothing and care. Fountaine continued that not only should basic needs be met, but it is parents responsibility to ensure that children regularly attend school, and not drop out or go to school as they feel.
Parents were urged to regularly check in with their parents teachers and check up on their work books.
Students were also challenged to come up with creative ways to address the issues of parental responsibility.