New journey now starts for CSEC students

CONGRATULATIONS to the new batch of students who, last Friday, received the good news of their passing grades in the CSEC exams organized by the Caribbean Examinations Council, CXC.  Those congratulations do not extend only to successful students, for we must also congratulate the teachers, parents, family and community supporters, churches and other organizations which provided moral and spiritual encouragement and guidance, and cannot for one moment miss out on the facilitating Ministry of Education and the Government as a whole.

On reflection, irrespective of how we view the latest results, of which we have not yet done an analysis, we must conclude that we have come a long way. Gone are the days when, except for a minority with the passing grades, this would virtually be the end of the line for formal education, even the ones with all but the top passing grades which would enable their access to higher education. Jobs, possible evening classes, and even migration opportunities would get priority from here on.

Those who obtained access to sixth form would at this point have had to work that much harder if university education were to become a reality.

Thankfully, we can put all that beyond us now. It is not that from here on there is smooth sailing for those who get access to the St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College. Far from it, another stage in the relentless climb is just beginning and hard, focussed work is still required. There is the career option which would influence chosen areas of study and of course dedication in pursuance of the chosen goals. In addition, there are the new financial burdens. Long ago we used to say that moving ahead calls for blood, sweat and tears. Today we can add two more Ss to the sweat, those for Stress and Sacrifice. Further progress depends on the hard work and ambitions, the latter- of both students and parents. Counselling in the choice of careers

and the opportunities available have important roles to play. This is especially vital for developing countries like ours which need specialised skills to underpin their development drive. Many times, we hear leaders of developing countries lament, not just about what is called the “brain drain”, but also the shortage of much- needed technical and technological skills. Even in the old traditions like Law, there are today new areas of speciality relating to modern technological development.

So, access to the SVG Community College is but the first rung on a steep ladder. Fortunately, whatever its imperfections, the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Prime Minister, Ralph Gonsalves, in particular, cannot be accused of lack of support at this level. Indeed, there are those who raise criticisms relating to whether there is some imbalance in this regard. It is even reported that a current politician who himself has benefitted from tertiary studies, made a remark in effect questioning whether money spent on education should not be spent elsewhere.

“Education can’t build road”, he is reported as saying.

Surely, he knows better, but this is the sort of example which should NEVER come from one who knows better. This is not to say we must not scrutinize our education expenditure and insist on priorities, but we must never abandon our educational thrust as an essential element for our own development.