Port of Spain: Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of National Security, the Honourable Glenda Jennings-Smith M.P., has reaffirmed the commitment of the Ministry to tackle head-on the challenges faced by the youth in Trinidad and Tobago.
Parliamentary Secretary Jennings-Smith made this statement on July 24, 2019 at a graduation ceremony for thirty (30) young participants of the Oratory Foundation Training Programme, which took place at the Government Plaza Auditorium, Richmond Street, Port of Spain.
The Oratory Foundation Training Programme is ten-week collaboration between the Office of Law Enforcement Policy of the Ministry of National Security, the Inter-Agency Task Force, Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and the Oratory Foundation. Its primary focus is to expose children to the principles of oral interpretation, dramatic poetry in performance, choral speaking, and the works of Shakespeare. Graduates came from schools in East Port of Spain and its environs.
In her address to the graduates, Parliamentary Secretary Jennings-Smith described the youth as vital to the future development of Trinidad and Tobago. She added that through the implementation of preventative initiatives like the Oratory Foundation Training Programme, Government is working to give young people greater opportunities for a brighter future.
She affirmed, “As a responsible Government, we are duty bound to put a lot of emphasis on our young persons as our country’s future leaders. They must be nurtured, listened to, protected and encouraged, given proper guidance and easy access to education and personal development.”
She praised parents of the young graduates for enrolling their children in the training programme and encouraged them to continue providing them with support throughout their lives.
The Ministry of National Security through the Office of Law Enforcement Policy looks forward to continuing its partnership with the Oratory Foundation, to equip young persons with the skills necessary for effective oral expression and leadership, and content congruent with a positive life-course.