St. Kitts and Nevis’ commitment to reshaping its national curriculum to reflect its African heritage gained renewed momentum on 2nd July, 2025, as the Ministry of Education and the UNESCO Routes of Enslaved Peoples Committee celebrated the winners of a nationwide essay competition at the NEMA Conference Room.
At the heart of the ceremony was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Dr. Geoffrey Hanley, who used the occasion to applaud the young participants and reaffirm the government’s pledge to establish Saint Kitts and Nevis Studies as a mandatory subject across all secondary schools.
The competition, held under the theme “The Importance and Value of Students Being Taught Their African Ancestral History,” recognised three top students: Markailer Handley (First Place), Khalaylah Maccabee (Second Place), and Devine James (Third Place). Addressing the packed hall of students, educators, officials, and parents, Dr. Hanley declared all participants “champions” and called the event a significant milestone in the nation’s educational journey.
He reiterated that the Ministry of Education is actively advancing plans to introduce a national curriculum that centres African ancestral history and local heritage, linking it to crime prevention, cultural pride, and national progress.
“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 Saint Kitts and Nevis Studies,” Dr. Hanley said. Quoting Marcus Garvey, he added, “A people without knowledge of their past history, origin, and culture is like a tree without roots.”
The competition, hosted by the St. Kitts and Nevis National Commission for UNESCO and the UNESCO Routes of Enslaved Peoples Committee, was not only academic in nature but also a platform to launch broader efforts to promote historical awareness and national identity.
Ambassador Nerys Dockery, Secretary-General of the St. Kitts-Nevis National Commission for UNESCO and co-chair of the Routes of Enslaved Peoples Committee, also delivered powerful remarks at the event. She linked the initiative directly to Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew’s vision of transforming the Federation into a sustainable island state by 2040.
Ambassador Dockery emphasised the competition’s role in catalysing a national dialogue. “We are the country’s leading authority bringing together stakeholders involved in cultural and heritage preservation and the dissemination of knowledge and art that uncover our shared past of enslavement, the transatlantic slave trade, and the resistance it inspired.”
She underscored that the initiative is part of an 18-month strategy by the UNESCO Committee to help reframe how the nation teaches and understands its past, advocating for a decolonised educational lens that affirms cultural clarity and national identity.
The ceremony drew praise for its collaborative spirit, with acknowledgements extended to Governor-General Dame Marcella Liburd for her patronage, the Curriculum Development Unit for its guidance, and a distinguished panel of judges including Carla Astaphan and Sheila Morris.
Dr. Hanley closed by encouraging teachers to adopt innovative strategies such as the “Rooted” learning method to help students meaningfully connect with their heritage. “Together, we can create a generation of young people who are proud of their heritage, confident in their abilities, and equipped to shape the future of our nation,” he said.
The ceremony was not just a celebration of literary achievement, but a powerful affirmation of the Federation’s commitment to honouring its ancestral legacy while educating future generations.
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