SLF to Incoming Government – Let’s Put Children First, Together
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release – April 30th, 2025
CONTACT – Jeremy Steffan Edwards, Executive Director
“A New Chapter For Our Children – Let Us Write It Together”
The Silver Lining Foundation (SLF) congratulates Prime Minister-Elect Kamla Persad-Bissessar and the United National Congress on their election victory.
Throughout the campaign, the UNC pledged that “When UNC wins, everybody wins.” Today, we ask that this promise begin with those who cannot yet cast a ballot but whose futures depend on the choices we make: the children and young people of Trinidad and Tobago.
The evidence is clear:
- Robust national data is needed.
SLF’s National School Climate Surveys (2016 & 2019) captured 2,284 student voices across 39 secondary schools – a sample 3½ times larger than our first study.
- Bullying is pervasive and gendered.
Boys endure more physical attacks, while girls face higher levels of ostracism and rumour-spreading.
- Homophobia fuels violence.
Students exposed to anti-LGBTQI+ taunts were significantly more likely to bully, and bullying fell where positive attitudes toward LGBTQI+ persons were promoted.
- School climate matters.
Clear rules, consistent consequences and supportive adults correlated with students feeling safer and learning better.
- Comprehensive sexuality education is proactive, preventative, protective.
A majority of students said CSE helped them feel prepared for situations involving consent and respect.
These findings give any incoming government a ready-made, evidence-based springboard for action.
Three invitations for the first 100 days:
- High-level briefing:
SLF stands ready to present disaggregated survey findings and an outline of priority interventions – teacher training, peer-support networks and policy updates – at your earliest convenience.
- Designate a liaison:
A focal point within the Office of the Prime Minister and/or the Ministry of Education will streamline collaboration between Government and child-protection NGOs.
- Champion a cross-party “Children First” pledge:
Let every MP—government and opposition alike—publicly place the well-being and dignity of our young people above partisan contest.
Campaigns are, by nature, adversarial; nation-building cannot be. The task before us now is to translate ballots into better futures—classroom by classroom, community by community. We therefore invite all elected representatives to join SLF in transforming data into dignity, fear into safety and division into the shared pride of watching our children flourish.
For thirteen years, SLF has championed safer classrooms, kinder communities and equal opportunity for every learner. We stand ready to work side-by-side with your new administration to translate tonight’s mandate into measurable gains for the next generation. We wish the new Government wisdom, courage and compassion in the days ahead, and we reaffirm our commitment to be a constructive, solutions-oriented partner.
When our children win, Trinidad & Tobago wins. Let us begin the work – together.
Jeremy Steffan Edwards
Executive Director
The Silver Lining Foundation
