CATEGORY:CELEBRATION ------------------------ INSIDE GRENADA MONDAY April 30,2007 by Wallace J.A GRENADA: The Ministry of Education (MOE) has designated the month of May as Child Month. There was no celebration of child month celebrations last year since the MOE, according to its Public Relations Officer, Kirk Seetahal, felt that the month of October (traditionally celebrated as child month) was already filled with activities marking other occasions, so in an attempt to give the children the attention they deserve, a decision was made to move the event to the month of May. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Protecting the Child.” This theme encompasses three major components: *Promoting Child Health and Safety *Preventing Child Abuse *Pursuing Children’s Education The objectives of Child Month, 2007 include: *To sensitize parents and community of the necessity and importance of child protection and the mechanisms and services available; *To create awareness in parents and the community of how they can work together to prevent child abuse and promote child safety; *To emphasize the importance of the cooperative efforts of home, school and community in the teaching/learning process. *To emphasize the responsibility of everyone in enhancing a national culture of child safety and protection. A number of activities have been planned for this year’s observance of Child Month. These activities include an opening address by the Minister for Social Development, school-based activities, the sale of tee-shirts, radio and television programs, street marches (May 28-31) and discussions on ‘The Child and the Law.’ The activities will come to a close on May 31 with a closing address by the Minister for Education.