No one must escape the responsibility of educating the children of the nation, Prime Minister Patrick Manning told graduates of Naparima College, San Fernando yesterday.

Manning said that pertinent questions must be constantly asked in the classroom and teachers must be informed and alert.

Parents, he said, must ask themselves whether they were measuring up as parents in the midst of the daily hustle and bustle.

’Are you spending enough time with your children?’ he asked gathered parents as he called on the community to make an effort to contribute to the success of the school and the upliftment of the children of the area.

’The community must be the eyes and ears of the school by making simple interventions to report delinquency,’ said Manning.

He also urged graduates to focus continuously on their goals.

’High academic achievement is more critical and demanding in this competitive world,’ he said adding that the bar of success has been raised by global competitiveness.

He said that more students have been moving on to higher education.

’Things have never been as good for young people as it is today,’ he said adding that there was an unrelenting pursuit of development in the country.

’Do not squander your chances for maximum development,’ he told the graduates.

Manning unveiled a plaque to formally open the school gymnasium built at a cost of $7.6 million with a seating capacity of 1200 to 1400.

With air-conditioning, better seating arrangements and lighting, the auditorium/gymnasium promises to become a major cultural venue in San Fernando, a school official said.

Ryan Laloo won the President Medal for Ordinary Level while the school produced 21 national scholarship winners.

Reverend Elis Elahie told the students that how they defined power would determine the contribution they made in the world. He said that the purpose of power was to empower and create a community of equals.

Erron Ramdass delivered the valedictory speech.