Students and teachers have been re-assured at the launch of ‘Education Week 2010’ that the Ministry of Education has their best interests at heart. Education week was launched Thursday under the theme, “Committed to Achieving Quality Education for All.”

Minister of Education, Sports, Youth and Gender Affairs Dr. Jacqui Quinn-Leandro in declaring the week open, pledged her ministry’s commitment to quality education.

“The ministry will surely do all in its power to ensure that we uphold those high standards that all the partners: our parents; our students, our teachers; and the entire nation of Antigua and Barbuda; will all feel satisfied that we are working towards that goal of the highest quality education possible,” she said.

Dr. Leandro expressed the hope that the efforts by ministry officials will be reciprocated on the part of parents and other stakeholders.

Director of Education, Jacintha Pringle, beseeched students in attendance to make full use of educational opportunities given to them, so as to become upstanding members of society.

“Think big, so that you will only want the good things of life, realising that you have worked hard for them.

"Think so much of yourself, that fighting is not part of your modus operandi. Frown upon aggression and avoid violent people,” Pringle noted.

Meanwhile, Senior Education Officer, Clare Browne, said the ministry is duty-bound to prepare the children of tomorrow, building solid foundations for sustainability.

“We at headquarters are fully cognisant that ours is the day responsibility of ensuring that the foundations for a better society are in place for future generations. And so in spite of a catalogue of challenges, we remain steadfast on quest to find the best possible educational product to extend to our clients – our young people; we remain forever 'committed to achieving quality education for all'.

Education week 2010 runs from 11-20 Feb.

Among the events planned are a national literacy festival, youth forum, and education awards ceremony.