Parliamentary representative for Gros Islet and Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Creative Industries, Kenson Casimir, has announced the launch of the constituency’s first-ever Development 101 programme, aimed at guiding young people towards more positive life choices through structured skills training and targeted social programming.
Speaking on the initiative, Casimir explained that the programme is designed primarily for young people between the ages of 17 and 35, with a strong emphasis on those transitioning out of secondary school or considering early entry into the workforce. He noted that interest in the programme has already exceeded expectations, with strong early registration figures.
“In our first two days, we’ve already seen 75 people registering for this program,” Casimir said, highlighting what he described as a clear demand for structured youth-focused development initiatives within the constituency.
The programme will focus heavily on soft skills development, including conflict resolution, goal setting and personal discipline; areas Casimir believes have been missing from the development of many young people. According to him, the absence of these skills has contributed to young people gravitating towards negative influences and alternative lifestyles.
The decision to begin the programme at age 17, Casimir said, is deliberate as it targets young people who are either leaving secondary school or are on the verge of making critical life decisions without the necessary guidance or life skills.
A significant component of the programme will centre on lifestyle choices and long-term planning, encouraging participants to visualise and actively shape their futures.
“What do you want your life to look like by the age of 17? What do you want your life to look like from 17 going into 35 goal setting?” Casimir asked, while adding that young people must be encouraged to ask whether their goals are realistic and achievable.
Casimir also revealed that discussions were already underway to introduce similar developmental concepts at an even earlier stage through what he referred to as “Project One”, which would target infant and primary school students.
He said the aim is to help children begin evaluating their identity and personal development long before reaching secondary school, with the long-term goal of ensuring young people leave secondary school with stronger soft skills, making them “more competent, more stable, more desirable individuals”.
The Development 101 Programme will be implemented under the social component of Casimir’s Constituency Development Programme (CDP), and he has encouraged other parliamentary representatives to consider similar initiatives within their own constituencies indicating that the programme could serve as a pilot for potential national rollout.
While the age range for the programme initially sparked interest from individuals over 35, Casimir clarified that the current structure is intentionally focused on younger participants. He acknowledged requests from older individuals but stressed the need for a tailored approach.
“They saw the age group from 17 to 35 and we got a number of requests for 36 year olds. If by 36 you have not received those skills, then we may have to develop a second program for these individuals,” Casimir said.
He also touched on the importance of parenting education, particularly the need to engage fathers earlier in discussions about responsibility and involvement.
Casimir stressed that structured programming whether in schools, communities or families is essential to national development, stating that early and sustained intervention is key to shaping a better future for Saint Lucia’s youth.
Reflecting on his previous term as parliamentary representative, Casimir admitted that much of his focus had been on physical infrastructure development. However, he said his second term will adopt a more balanced approach, combining infrastructure work with extensive social programming.
“In my first tenure, four and a half years, we did a lot of infrastructure development,” he explained. “In my second term, we are going to have more of a balanced approach… we will be doing a heavy dose of programming throughout the length and breadth of the constituency.”
This would be a great initiative for an island wide program!