At a recent gathering to commemorate the eighth anniversary of the Youth Education and Empowerment Program (YEEP), Junior Social Transformation Minister Senator Samantha Marshall, acknowledged the program for its contribution to reducing the rate of adolescent pregnancy.

Senator Marshall praised the program for its efforts to educate and empower young people, highlighting the importance of such initiatives in creating positive change in society.

The minister’s statement is a testament to the dedication and hard work of YEEP in promoting education and transforming the lives of young people.

“I don’t think we know the overall impact of the program. Because when I became minister in 2014 one of the things that was on the table with UNICEF, UN Women and other UN bodies was the whole issue that we had a high rate of adolescent pregnancy.”

Senator Marshall has expressed her belief that the YEEP program has contributed to a significant reduction in the high rate of disengagement among young people.

She stated that the program, along with the Five Island UWI campus, has provided more opportunities for education and engagement.

In February 2016, the YEEP program was established with an initial enrollment of almost 200 students.

Today, the school has a student population of over 500, indicating its success in engaging young people in education and other opportunities.