Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister, Philip J. Pierre, on Wednesday welcomed Roberto Benes, regional director of UNICEF, on his first official visit to Saint Lucia, during a courtesy call that authorities said underscored the Government’s unwavering commitment to investing in the nation’s children.
An official statement said that during the meeting, Pierre outlined a series of priorities to strengthen early childhood development and improve outcomes for young learners across the island. They include universal access to free preschool education, improving school infrastructure, strengthening nutrition standards in schools, and standardising and modernising the national curriculum.
These initiatives build on the programmes delivered by the government in the previous term which included a $2,500 subvention in 2024 to 106 privately owned preschools, an increased subvention to $3,000 in 2025, $50 payment towards monthly preschooler fees in 2024, increased payment of preschooler fees to $100 in 2025, $1.35 million from Taiwan for early childhood education in 2024 and TREAM-based curriculum for ECDs in 2025.
The prime minister reaffirmed Saint Lucia’s role as a champion for increased investment in early childhood development, noting its proven long-term benefits for national growth and social stability. He also stressed the urgency of addressing climate change and its disproportionate impact on children, particularly within Small Island Developing States.
Pierre welcomed and endorsed UNICEF’s work programme, expressing appreciation for the organisation’s continued partnership and technical support in advancing child-focused policies and initiatives in Saint Lucia.
The statement said Benes commended the Government for its clear vision and strong leadership in prioritising children, noting that the country’s approach aligns closely with global best practices in child development and protection.
“This visit marks an important step in strengthening collaboration between Saint Lucia and UNICEF, as both parties work together to ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive in a safe, supportive, and enabling environment,” the statement said.
