The importance of a sound education to the development of young girls was part of the focus of the Girl Guide Association’s Thinking Day march and rally yesterday. Â
The march started from Jubilee Gardens, Bridgetown, and passed through a portion of the city on its way to Pax Hill for the rally. Close to 500 children from the Blossoms, Brownies and Girl Guides formed the procession with guiders and parents in tow.
Deputy principal of Deighton Griffith Secondary School, Anthony Alleyne, who delivered the feature address at the rally, said education is not just about learning but doing.
“There are some who believe that as long as you get 100 per cent on a test or get your degree or you get that piece of paper that you have achieved, that you are educated, but it is not just about what you learn but about what you do with what you learn,” he said.
Alleyne reminded those present that education is for everyone, regardless of their age since opportunities sometimes come late in life. He urged the parents and guiders therefore to open up their minds to learning more.
Chief Commissioner Ruth Parris, from the association’s headquarters at Pax Hill, St Michael yesterday, explained that the theme Education Opens Doors For All Girls And Boys tied into the Millennium Development Goal of primary education for all. She hoped that from the day’s activities the girls would take away the message that education is important for them.
“It helps the mind to grow and it is the only way they can make informed decisions when they have to,” Parris said.
Thinking Day is observed by 145 countries and used by the Girl Guides to recognize the birthday of its founders but yesterday was also used to mark the 95th anniversary of the movement here.
Parris said it is the day when the ten million members of the association paused for reflection. She said this year within the Western Hemisphere the focus fell on St Vincent which was affected at the end of last year by flooding, during which the movement lost a guider.
Parris stated that the association increased requests for donations and are seeking items to send to the island.
Of the local association, Parris said the headquarters is in need of some work adding that they would welcome assistance.
Later, a festive mood prevailed as the day’s activities moved into games and an entertainment package that featured the Royal Barbados Police Force Band. (LK)
