Pupils at Dame Pearlette Louisy Primary School put their maths skills to the test and stepped into colourful cultural roles as a World Food Day market and La Marguerite celebrations brought learning beyond their textbooks.
From buying local produce and checking their change to portraying kings, queens and other festival characters, the children explored healthy eating, money management and Saint Lucian heritage.
Organised by the school’s Education Committee, the market gave pupils a taste of traditional market shopping without a trip into Castries. Parents were encouraged to help their children prepare shopping lists and provide small budgets, allowing them to practise asking for items, making purchases and managing money.
“We wanted our students to be responsible and be guided into making good food choices,” explained Education Committee representative Lois Dunbar-Fadlien.
Stalls offered roots, vegetables, fruits, local juices, sea moss, baked goods and pumpkin and sorrel products. Vegetable, herb and ornamental plants were also available.
The school worked with parents and Ministry of Agriculture extension officers to connect with farmers in Babonneau, while inviting other vendors to broaden the selection.
Parents began shopping as they dropped off their children, but Dunbar-Fadlien stressed that learning remained the priority, saying, “It’s not a fundraising event. It’s an educational event.”
Alongside the market, pupils dressed as kings, queens, judges, nurses and other characters associated with La Marguerite for the school’s annual observance of the flower festival.
Vice Principal Idonia Jules-Mayers said the celebrations help keep Saint Lucia’s traditions alive by introducing children to the songs, characters and meaning behind the festival.
“We do not want our cultural heritage and festivals to die, so we want to keep them alive,” she said.
Although the festival fell on a Sunday this year, the school arranged an opportunity for pupils to participate, with activities set to include a parade, traditional songs and a short recreation of aspects of the celebration.
Preparations began earlier in October, with pupils learning songs during assembly and teachers incorporating the festival into classroom lessons. Jules-Mayers said the children particularly enjoy singing and portraying the different characters.
Together, the activities connected classroom lessons with the foods, livelihoods and traditions children encounter in their communities.
