Opinions expressed by Digital Journal contributors are their own.
The Premier of Nevis, Mark Brantley, has leveraged social media to share a new resource designed to educate the island’s children on the importance of conservation and recycling in order to ‘keep Nevis nice’. The resource has also been hosted on the Nevis Island Administration’s website as part of an initiative to support parents and teachers in educating young pupils on the island.
The poster comes as part of the ‘Nevis Kids Now’ initiative. Its five ‘Top Tips for Keeping Nevis Nice’ include ideas for children, educators, and parents alike on how to look after their local environment. The Premier, in cartoon form on the colourful poster, sets out five priorities; Pick Up Litter, Remember to Recycle, Keep Nevis Tidy, Respect Nature, and Inspire Others.
The series comes as part of a broader digital campaign that will too be hosted on the NIA’s website, and the new set of initiatives are focused on engaging young Nevisians with their surroundings and supporting their social development.
Nevis is famously picturesque, and has established initiatives aimed at preserving the natural environment. Premier Brantley has previously acknowledged that waste management and plastic pollution are two problems that affect the island and has noted the role that all Nevisians have to play in improving the landscape.
As such, the efforts of the Premier to provide educational resources come as part of continued endeavours from his administration to encourage and remind young people of their social responsibilities to society.
Moreover, with the increased reach that comes from sharing via digital channels, the Premier’s innovative means of educating his most impressionable citizens are admirable.
Using technology in education is not a new phenomenon, however for an island as small as Nevis that so often relies on word of mouth and close-knit community relationships, using digital resources is a great way to ensure that education is accessible for all.
Nevis is championing education for the long-term, with increased provisions in the 2025 budget. The NIA has affirmed its commitment to investing in the young people of Nevis, with the Premier speaking in February of the wide range of scholarships available, including those in partnership with universities in Scotland, Indonesia, and the United States.
The Premier also spoke of the importance of helping pupils with their online studies by way of financial support, as well as offering them encouragement and reassuring them that they have a part to play in Nevis’ future. Since 2013, 275 individuals have benefitted from the NIA’s financial assistance program, and with resources like those recently shared, the Premier and the NIA are fulfilling their promises to invest into Nevisians’ futures.
Coupling learning with care for the environment is well in-keeping with the Island’s famed ‘Nevis Nice’ motto that promotes hospitality and instils a sense of pride in islanders. With initiatives like this from the Premier and his administration, the Island certainly has something to be proud of.
