Prime Minister Hon. Philip J. Pierre today (March 25, 2026) welcomed the Mr. Roberto Benes, Regional Director of UNICEF on his first official visit to Saint Lucia, at a courtesy call that underscored the Government’s unwavering commitment to investing in the nation’s children and securing their future.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Pierre outlined a series of forward-looking priorities aimed at strengthening early childhood development and improving outcomes for young learners across the island to include: universal access to free preschool education, improve the physical infrastructure of schools, strengthening nutrition standards within schools, and standardising and modernising the national curriculum.

These initiatives build on the programmes delivered by the government in the previous term which included:

• $2,500 subvention in 2024 to 106 privately owned preschools
• An increased subvention to $3,000 in (2025)
• $50 payment towards monthly preschooler fees (2024)
• Increased payment of preschooler fees to $100 (2025)
• $1.35 million from Taiwan for Early Childhood Education (2024)
• STREAM-based curriculum for ECDs (2025)

Prime Minister Pierre reaffirmed Saint Lucia’s role as a champion for increased investment in early childhood development, noting its proven long-term benefits for national growth and social stability. He also stressed the urgency of addressing climate change and its disproportionate impact on children, particularly within Small Island Developing States.

The Prime Minister welcomed and endorsed UNICEF’s work programme, expressing appreciation for the organisation’s continued partnership and technical support in advancing child-focused policies and initiatives in Saint Lucia.

The UNICEF Regional Director commended the Government of Saint Lucia for its clear vision and strong leadership in prioritising children, noting that the country’s approach aligns closely with global best practices in child development and protection.

This visit marks an important step in strengthening collaboration between Saint Lucia and UNICEF, as both parties work together to ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive in a safe, supportive, and enabling environment.