 The students came out in their large numbers, dressed in the colors of the island's national flag. The various events featured musical, dance, and drama performances from various students of the education districts. Addressing the Independence Rally of District 5, Education Minister Honorable Sean Edwin said the responsibility to define what it means to be truly Saint Lucian is to be reflected in how each Saint Lucian, including school children, conduct themselves in everyday life. All we are asking of you from the Ministry of Education is to love your country and there are little things you can do as students to love your country. For example, in school, when your teachers speak to you, you must listen and you must obey. By doing that, you are showing that you love your country. When you are eating your snacks and you take the wrapper and you place it in the bin instead of dropping it on the floor, it tells us that you love your country. When you respect your teachers, it tells us that you love your country. When you obey your parents, it tells us that you love your country. Minister Edward, who is also the MP for Denby North, was joined by his colleague, the MP for Miku North, Honorable Jeremiah Norbert, who encouraged the schools in attendance to exemplify the independence theme in whatever they do. District 5's Education Officer, Sir Sherif, said the rallies allow students to express a love for their country. While he says the nation's growth must be celebrated, a number of issues confronting the nation do affect its ability to achieve greatness and deserve equal attention. But if we are going to shape our destiny as a people, then there needs to be a collective responsibility on our part to do our way with anything that is negative, anything that will hinder our progress. And so there must be a zero tolerance for crime and violence. All the rapes and disrespect to others and property and others well-being must be something of the past. There needs to be that desire or zeal to push forward and to put down the guns and the drugs that's causing us to lose a generation of young men. For Education Officer for District 1, Syros Sipa, being number one doesn't come in just name but also in attitude and performance. A son of the soil and medical doctor, Dr. Kidma Dawg, was the guest speaker for District 1's Independence Rally. From the Communications Unit of the Ministry of Education, Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology and Procational Training, I am Chris Satney reporting.