Basseterre: St. Kitts, Thursday, July 03, 2025: The teaching and learning of History is set to be transformed throughout the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. The announcement was made on Wednesday, July 02 at the UNESCO Essay Competition Announcement Ceremony.
“The concept of education as a transformative journey is not new. In the context of our nation, this transformative journey is crucial in shaping our national identity and promoting a deeper understanding of our history and culture. The Ministry of Education’s initiative to develop a curriculum for St. Kitts and Nevis Studies is a long-held national aspiration that seeks to increase students’ awareness of, appreciation for, and knowledge of Kittitian and Nevisian history, heritage, and culture”, shared H.E. Nerys Dockery, Secretary General of the St. Kitts-Nevis National Commission for UNESCO.
Elaborating on the way forward for the initiative, H. E. Dockery disclosed, “The UNESCO National Commission is most pleased to spearhead this initiative, especially in the context of the United Nations’ recent declaration of the Second Decade for People of African Descent spanning from 2025 to 2035”.
Dr. Tricia Esdaille, Actg. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education disclosed, “The Ministry of Education has been engaged in curriculum and assessment reform which has resulted in the enhancement of our national curriculum at the primary and the lower secondary levels of the education sector. As we continue this work the need for a course of study that fully encompasses our local history and embraces our ancestral past is of utmost importance. As reflected in our Education Sector Plan a decision was taken to develop a new course of study entitled St. Kitts – Nevis Studies.”
Highlighting the objectives of the course, Dr. Esdaille expressed
“As part of our larger national curriculum reform effort, this course is intended to teach our students about our nation’s journey from colonialism to independence.”
Hon. Dr. Geoffrey Hanley Minister of Education declared that students at the secondary level of education will be required to engage in studies surrounding this course.
“The implementation of St. Kitts and Nevis Studies as a mandatory course is a long-held national aspiration. This consultancy aims to develop a curriculum guide and content that will bring to life the captivating story of our nation’s journey. We will institutionalize this course in all secondary schools, ensuring that our students graduate with a deep understanding of their heritage and a sense of pride in their identity. Through this initiative, we hope to address the challenges of crime and delinquency, and fostering a safer, more progressive society. By teaching our children the lessons of our collective history, we can instil new values, attitudes, and ambitions that will lead to a brighter future.”
