College head tells parents to monitor their children

The principal of the Community College, Kelvin Malcolm has challenged parents to continue to monitor their children with the same intensity as they did when they attended secondary school.

Malcolm, presenting his principal’s report at the 10th annual graduation and prize-giving ceremony last Thursday, June 29, told a packed St George’s Cathedral that even though the children are expected to be more mature and focused when they enter the A’ level institute, that isn’t always the case, hence the admonition to the parents.{{more}}

Malcolm also used the opportunity to take a swipe at those who attempt to package his students into a bag of delinquency and sexual promiscuity, adamantly declaring to thunderous applause that the vast majority come from decent homes, with caring families and conduct themselves properly.

As he reflected on the tremendous challenges that the school faced, Malcolm highlighted the need for full time counselors to be assigned to schools noting that a school must be seen as more than an educational institution.

There was a notable hush in the church as the principal recalled the tragic suicide death of former student Sherwin Jones of Campden Park. A minute’s silence was observed in his memory at the graduation ceremony.

Adding to the challenges faced by the school was the terrible accident that almost claimed the life of Peniston resident Lonnie Robinson. Lonnie suffered a six-inch skull fracture, face and dental trauma among other injuries as a result of the accident which occurred while he was riding a bicycle in Campden Park. Robinson who was Student Council President at the time of the accident has since undergone several reconstructive surgeries at the Medical Hospital in Virginia, USA.

Mention was also made of the horror of the morning of May 23rd, where along the Villa public road, an accident involving three community college students resulted in the death of Keno Myers of Redemption Sharpes.

When he delivered his feature address Jomo Thomas encouraged the students to “take the long view in life.” Of shorts cuts he added “short cuts benefit only the most experienced.” In what was truly a timely address the Chief Executive Officer of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Social Investment Fund told the 392 graduates that their generation must meet the task of fighting new battles and winning new victories. “You will have to look our current set of leaders, business people and politicians and tell them that they are found wanting.”

Thomas, a radio talk show host and newspaper columnist warned the eager graduates not to be comfortable with the first job they get. He referred to the Prime Minister’s plan as part of the education revolution to ensure that there is a university graduate in every household by 2020, telling them that because of the wide scope of educational opportunities that exist today, “There is no reason why all of you here should not have a Masters degree by age 30.