St. George’s, July 21, 2011 – The parliamentary representative for the Town of St. George has commended Grenadian women, saying they appear to be outperforming men in almost every area including in caring for children, work and at school.

“A lot of praise must be given to the women of our country,’’ MP Peter David said Thursday at an awards’ ceremony at the National Stadium.

He was the main speaker at the function at which vouchers valued at $150 were presented to more than 80 Town of St. George students, who were successful in this year’s Common Entrance Examination.

The voucher allows each student to shop for secondary school items at Bryden and Minors and Grenada Teachers’ Schools’ Supplies.

It is the second year of the awards which are sponsored by the Constituency Offices in the Town of St. George and the River Road/Darbeau Development Committee.

“We have decided to do this every year,’’ said Mr. David, who is Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation in government. “It is a small but significant way to reduce the burden on parents and allow the children to get a good start to their secondary education.’’

Mr. David, noting the number of mothers accompanying their boys and girls to the awards’ presentation, said it seems to be a “mothers and children’’ function.

He lamented that fathers are often “few and far between’’ in their children’s lives; that men are seemingly becoming an “endangered species,’’ and are the overwhelming population at Her Majesty’s Prison at Richmond Hill.

“It is unfortunate that the men do not play their part,’’ Minister David bemoaned.

He encouraged women to continue working with their children but also implored on fathers to also get involved, saying “a father figure is as important as a mother.’’

The MP stressed the importance of children, with the support of parents, educating themselves by reading widely.

“Every child in here has the capacity to be anything he or she wants to be,’’ he said. “But you have to strive for it.’’

Mr. David said success at school, including university studies, is critical to individuals becoming productive citizens.

“Education is not only important for the kids,’’ he explained, “but education is also important for the country.’’

Apart from MP David, the young awardees – who were treated to snacks – were also given words of motivation and encouragement by some of the planners and organizers of the function. Among them were Yvette Mason, Godfrey Bain-Andrews and Dr. Winston Thomas.

 Within two months, another function will be held for the distribution of exercise books, pens, pencils and other stationery to students from the Town of St. George headed back to school.