Last Updated on April 30, 2020, 4:57 AM AST by Anthony Morris
Two weeks later after the National Political Leader of the St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP), the Rt Hon Dr Denzil Douglas had accused the present Timothy Harris-led Team Unity Government of “irresponsibility” for not including the Schools Meals Feeding Programme in the Government’s rapid response to the COVID-19 pandemic while, the schools are closed, the Ministry of Education has announced that such a programme would begin next week.
Dr Douglas said during his “Ask the Leader ” weekly programme on April 14 that this is why it was very irresponsible of the Harris administration not to have included a feeding programme as part of the Government’s rapid response plans.
Dr Douglas further said that, for example, the school meals programme remained operational in many countries even during the days of school closure, providing breakfast and lunches for the children. But what do we see here, we understand that the feeding kitchen of the school has been used, not for feeding the children, but for feeding the selected few, in selected constituencies to exact, in my opinion, political gain.
The comment on the use of the kitchen of the schools’ meals programme came as a result of evidence that food which was cooked at the centre was given to some selected residents in St Christopher 7, which is the constituency being represented by Prime Minister Dr the Hon Timothy Harris in the National Assembly.
Dr Douglas said in his April 14 statement that the Next Gen SKN Party “is committed to doing its part to fill the void which has been created because of a lack of a compassionate programme for the working poor and the many unemployed.”
The Ministry of Education said in an urgent public announcement the school meals programme would be commencing on May 5 for the students who make the require the service.
Former Prime Minister Douglas has also called for the SKNLP to be part of a national stakeholders group to help in the fight against COVID-19. Still, Prime Minister Harris has repeatedly rejected his request.
Dr Harris has also been accused of only reacting to ideas and suggested from the SKNLP or programmes which are being implemented by neighbouring islands in the fight against the coronavirus.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
