Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, the Hon. Dr. Horace Chang says music remains a critical avenue to engage young people and effect positive change.
Minister Chang emphasised this while delivering the main address at the Handing Over Ceremony for Musical Instruments to Kingston High School earlier today (April 9).
He stated that: “music is a critical part of engaging our young people and keeping them on a productive and positive path while still offering them opportunity”.
The musical instruments procured through the Music, Sports and Technology (MST) Initiative under the Ministry of National Security – forms part of a commitment to schools under the Inter-Ministerial School Support Strategy (ISSS).
Minister Chang highlighted that “the Government is committed to bringing a level of support to Kingston High School, that will allow you to do the job which is to provide our young people in this community with proper and effective education”.
The Security Minister stated that this level of support by the Ministry of National Security will allow the students to further develop their skills and talents to become productive individuals within society.
The implementation of the MST Initiative underscores a commitment to proactively address the root causes of violence by engaging with and empowering the youth.
Minister Chang further highlighted that the Ministry of National Security is “involved in a number of programmes collaboratively for social intervention which includes working with the Ministry of Education and Youth and other social services” in an effort to create an impact among youth.
The Crime Prevention and Community Safety Branch of the Ministry currently provides psychosocial support to Kingston High School through case management services, this forms part of the support extended to the institution.
“By utilising this approach, we are more deliberate in intervening early and providing tailored support and interventions to address underlying issues such as poverty, family dysfunction, substance abuse, and academic struggles,” Minister Chang stated.
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