Minister: Increase In Afterschool Programme
The Afterschool Programme currently has a waitlist, but it is “anticipated that specified cost savings realized in the Ministry will help to provide greater service capacity,” Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport Senator Owen Darrell said today [Nov 21] in the Senate.
The Minister said, “The Department of Youth, Sport, and Recreation has hosted the Afterschool Programme for the last 50 years. There are currently 434 school-aged children enrolled with a total of 52 persons engaged in service delivery.
“The cost per client, per week, is $30. At this cost, Madam President, this is welcome financial relief to many who are trying to balance finances post the pandemic. The Afterschool Programme operates between the hours of 3:30 and 6:00 p.m. Monday – Friday, servicing government preschools, primary schools, and middle schools across the island. With added flexibility of programmes being housed in many of our public schools, it continues to be an integrated community-based system of family support.”
“The Afterschool Programme is currently oversubscribed and has a waitlist of 97 requiring its services. It is anticipated that specified cost savings realized in the Ministry will help to provide greater service capacity. It has been estimated that adding a further eight staff will allow for an increase in the number of clients and clear the significant waitlist.
“Not only will the initiative increase the much-needed enrolment capacity in the Afterschool programme, but it will provide some employment opportunities for interested Bermudians,” the Minister added.
The Minister’s full statement follows below:
Madam President, in the platform of 2020, the Government underscored its commitment “to strengthening financial support to families”. The document highlighted the “need to provide social protection to ensure that no Bermudian is left behind.”
Madam President, to this end, the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sport, through the Department of Youth, Culture and Sport will advance this initiative which seeks “to strengthen the social safety net.” Not only will the initiative increase the much-needed enrolment capacity in the Afterschool programme, but it will provide some employment opportunities for interested Bermudians.
Madam President, as you may be aware, the Department of Youth, Sport, and Recreation has hosted the Afterschool Programme for the last fifty [50] years. There are currently [434] four hundred and thirty-four school-aged children enrolled with a total of [52] fifty-two persons engaged in service delivery.
Madam President, the cost per client, per week, is [$30] thirty dollars. At this cost, Madam President, this is welcome financial relief to many who are trying to balance finances post the pandemic. The Afterschool Programme operates between the hours of 3:30 and 6:00 p.m. Monday – Friday, servicing government preschools, primary schools, and middle schools across the island. With added flexibility of programmes being housed in many of our public schools, it continues to be an integrated community-based system of family support.
Madam President, the Afterschool Programme is currently oversubscribed and has a waitlist of [97] ninety-seven clients requiring its services. It is anticipated that specified cost savings realized in the Ministry will help to provide greater service capacity. It has been estimated that adding a further [8] eight staff will allow for an increase in the number of clients and clear the significant waitlist.
Madam President, there is that old adage that says “all work and no play make Jack a dull boy” is not far from the truth. The literature is filled with studies that have shown the positive effects of play on one’s life. In fact, research done by NIDirect of the UK Government has shown that “play helps with children and young people’s healthy development. To have good physical and mental health and to learn life skills, they need various play opportunities from birth until they’re teenagers.” Play significantly improves the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development of children and young people.
Madam President, the afterschool activities provided by this programme help with children’s physical development such as fine and gross motor skills, eye-hand coordination and balance. Activities provided also help with children’s social-emotional development including confidence, self-esteem, resilience, independence, curiosity, and social skills.
Programs available in the Afterschool Program include Futsal, walking clubs, fit clubs, the National Geographic kids club, escape room clubs, book clubs, gardening clubs, homework clubs, team building clubs and character counts clubs.
Madam President, in these economic times and, with the many stressors that parents must face, these afterschool programmes do ease some of the burden. Some of the advantages include:
- A reduction in risky behaviours;
- A safe and supportive environment for children and youth
- An environment that promotes cooperation, support and respect for others;
Madam President, last year the National Youth Policy was launched, setting the direction and tone for the way the country will support, empower, and engage Bermuda’s youth. The first goal of the Policy is to Keep Young People Safe and Protected from Harm and the afterschool programme supports this objective.
Madam President, Accordingly, the Government will continue to find ways to help to “reduce poverty and…provide support to families to build stronger communities.”
Thank you Madam President.
