Senator Dr Shantal Munro-Knight, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office with responsibility for Culture, returned to her alma mater on Tuesday to urge students to reject negative stereotypes and rise above societal pressures.
In an impassioned keynote speech at the Springer Memorial Secondary School’s 60th-anniversary service at the Government Hill, St Michael institution, the minister touched on themes of resilience, dedication, and the pivotal role the school has played in shaping future leaders. Addressing the challenges faced by the education system and the nation at large, Senator Munro-Knight urged the students to embody the values of perseverance and determination.
“Your theme, which is about resilience, dedication and determination, has within it the very ethos that we need to reflect on to continue building the kind of country, citizens, and nation-state that we need for our development,” she said.
In an effort to challenge perceptions of school ranking and their impact on students’ life prospects, she added: “Despite the ongoing belief within our society that there are top schools . . . older and newer schools, and that, somehow, demarcation determines who you will be, your chances of success, and your life opportunities, my own experience would suggest that that perception is false.”
The culture minister also underscored the importance of struggle as a necessary part of personal growth, cautioning against avoiding difficult situations.
“We live in a world where nobody wants to struggle anymore . . . . But if we didn’t struggle, there would be no word called triumph [nor] resilience,” she said.
Drawing inspiration from the life of Shirley Chisholm, the daughter of Barbadian immigrants who became the first African-American woman to serve in the US Congress, Senator Munro-Knight encouraged students to reject limitations imposed by others.
Quoting Chisholm, she said: “We must not only reject the stereotypes that others have of us, but we must reject the stereotypes that we have of ourselves.”
Principal of Springer Memorial, Cheryl Gill, echoed the sentiments of the keynote speaker, highlighting the school’s commitment to sustained excellence and innovation. She pointed to the need for students to ”embrace the challenges, the opportunities presented by a rapidly changing world”.
“Education is undergoing a profound transformation, and it is imperative that we prepare at the forefront of all of these changes,” she said.
Gill outlined the institution’s vision for the future, emphasising that relevance and responsiveness are critical to shaping students who are equipped to thrive in the modern world.
“Our vision for the future is one of continuing excellence, innovation, and growth. We are committed to providing our students with the tools and resources they need to succeed,” the principal added.
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