Basseterre: St. Kitts, Friday July 04, 2025: The St. Kitts and Nevis National Commission for UNESCO announced the top three winners of their essay competition which focused on the significance of local history in the school curriculum. The announcement ceremony was held on Wednesday, July 02, at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Conference Room.
The competition, which was fiercely contested by 14 participants representing six public secondary schools – Basseterre High, Cayon High, Charlestown Secondary, Charles E Mills Secondary, Saddlers Secondary and Washington Archibald High – submitted pieces on the topic ‘The Importance and Value of Students Being Taught their African Ancestral History’.
H. E. Nerys Dockery, Secretary-General of St. Kitts and Nevis National Commission for UNESCO, thanked the students for participating and shared
“The objective of our essay competition is intentionally and closely aligned with this vision [making St. Kitts and Nevis a fully independent sustainable island state by 2040] and aims to promote a deeper understanding and appreciation of our African ancestral history and its significance in shaping our national identity. I would like to congratulate all the participating schools and students for their outstanding submissions.”
The students who excelled in the competition were Devine James, third runner up with a total of 96-points from the Charlestown Secondary School, second place was awarded to Khalaylah Maccabee of the Saddlers Secondary School, who amassed a total of 98 points. Markailer Hanley of the Cayon High School attained the grand prize winner status with a total of 100 points and will enjoy an all-expense paid study tour to the African nation of Ghana.
Dr. Tricia Esdaille, Actg. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education expressed congratulatory remarks on behalf of the Ministry of Education,
“The essay competition on the topic ‘The Importance and Value of our Students Learning Their African Ancestral History’ provided an opportunity for our secondary students to reflect meaningfully on our local history and the approach to the teaching of Caribbean History locally and within the region.”
Minister of Education Hon. Dr. Geoffrey Hanley communicated,
“It is a pleasure to see the shining faces of our nation’s youth, full of potential and promise. This essay competition was designed to start a national conversation in support of the Ministry of Education’s vision to establish a mandatory course on St. Kitts and Nevis Studies. As we embark on this noble endeavour, we honor the unwavering dedication of our ancestors who fought for education as a means to liberation and empowerment. As the Minister of Education, I firmly believe in a philosophy of education that promotes cultural awareness, pride in our African Heritage and a distinctive cultural orientation that defines our identity and value system as Kittitian and Nevisian citizens.”
