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| PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar with Archbishop Barbara Burke |
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Friday kept a promise she made one year ago to build a school for the Spiritual Baptist community.
She made the announcement in Parliament following a private meeting with members of the religious community.
"Mr Speaker, it is with great pride I announce today that it will take us on this side, the People's Partnership, to build that school," she said.
She noted that she was a part of the Panday UNC administration in 1996 that granted the Baptist community an official holiday.
She made the announcement in Parliament following a private meeting with members of the religious community.
"Mr Speaker, it is with great pride I announce today that it will take us on this side, the People's Partnership, to build that school," she said.
She noted that she was a part of the Panday UNC administration in 1996 that granted the Baptist community an official holiday.
The UNC also donated to the community 25 acres of land at Maloney in East Trinidad where the Baptists have built a church. The school will go on the same site.
Persad-Bissessar noted that "other uncaring regimes refused to value and acknowledge a long-suffering community and one that is intrinsic to the heartbeat and soul of Trinidad and Tobago".
She pointed out from 2001 to the present day, the PNM government did not do anything with respect to a school for the Spiritual Baptists. Persad-Bissessar expressed pride that as Prime Minister she can "herald and honour this religious community" for its "distinctive contribution to the country".
Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley also paid tribute and said the Opposition recognises "the historic struggles of those members of our national community".
He noted that the opposition will join the community in celebration and expressed his hope they would strive for unity in the community.
Speaker Wade Mark was dramatic in his greetings: "May your bells of freedom continue to toll as a signal of sense of pride and joy of your achievement of a public holiday in the observance of your rich struggles for justice and equality.
"I wish to extend warm greetings, solidarity and togetherness with our brothers and sisters in the Shouter Baptist Community as the holiday is celebrated."
Persad-Bissessar noted that "other uncaring regimes refused to value and acknowledge a long-suffering community and one that is intrinsic to the heartbeat and soul of Trinidad and Tobago".
She pointed out from 2001 to the present day, the PNM government did not do anything with respect to a school for the Spiritual Baptists. Persad-Bissessar expressed pride that as Prime Minister she can "herald and honour this religious community" for its "distinctive contribution to the country".
Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley also paid tribute and said the Opposition recognises "the historic struggles of those members of our national community".
He noted that the opposition will join the community in celebration and expressed his hope they would strive for unity in the community.
Speaker Wade Mark was dramatic in his greetings: "May your bells of freedom continue to toll as a signal of sense of pride and joy of your achievement of a public holiday in the observance of your rich struggles for justice and equality.
"I wish to extend warm greetings, solidarity and togetherness with our brothers and sisters in the Shouter Baptist Community as the holiday is celebrated."
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