Premier of Nevis and Minister with responsibility for Education Hon. Joseph Parry reported on a number of changes in the school system, which would come into effect at the commencement of the new school year on September 01, 2008. He made the disclosure in a televised address to the nation on Friday, August 29th, 2008.
 
According to the Premier, Headmasters Mr. Wakely Daniel and Mr. Carl Williams of the Ivor Walters Primary School and St. Johns Primary School respectively had been transferred to the Civil Service. They would be replaced by Mrs. Ilena Mills who would move to the Ivor Walters Primary and Mrs. Adina Taylor to the St. Johns Primary.
 
Mrs. Dawn Jeffers, the Deputy Head at the Charlestown Secondary School (CSS) would be transferred to the Gingerland Secondary School as Principal, while Mr. Shefton Liburd would serve as Deputy. Mrs. Sheila Hanley will replace Mrs. Jeffers at the CSS.
 
The Sixth Form College would also see a change, as Mrs. Marjorie Brandy would take over the leadership of that institution.  
 
“The Ministry of Education has worked very hard to place the education system on a secure footing for the commencement of the new term,” said Premier Parry.  He noted that several untrained teachers will be attending the Clarence Fritzroy Bryant College in St. Kitts and that others had seized the opportunity offered by the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) to pursue Degree studies abroad.
 
Meanwhile, the Hon. Joseph Parry said he continued to work with Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Mr. Joseph Wiltshire, Advisor to Education, Mrs. Christine Springette and Principal Education Officer, Mrs. Jennifer Hodge, to ensure that a draft incentive programme was completed and ready to be discussed with the teachers shortly.
   
The exercise commenced shortly after the Administration had taken up office and Premier Parry said they are well on their way to provide the type of programmes necessary to make the teaching service attractive.
 
“I must conclude that education is not a matter of merely being able to read and write. It is a process to prepare each and every citizen for life and living,” he said. “We therefore link education and training. We believe that every person who is touched by the programme of this government will be less inclined to pursue a life of crime,” the Premier continued.
 
He stressed that the NIA believed that no child should leave school with any feeling of neglect, resentment or negativity against the school, the teachers or the system. “It is our job to ensure every child can read in the primary school system,” the Premier said.
 
This year the Education Department planned a special programme for children of Grade 3 who had difficulty in reading.
 
“We [the NIA] believe that once you have the weapon of the ability to read, you will learn.  I am looking to an even more fruitful 2008/2009 school year. We require hard work and dedication from all. Only through hard work and dedication and the cooperation of teachers and Government, can we make our people fortified with a good education to make Nevis strong,” Premier Parry concluded.