Five hundred get second chance at education

by Viclene Matthews 15.AUG.08

Close to 500 adults who at one time believed that they would not get a second chance at an education, proudly received their certificates at the European Union Adult and Continuing Education programme graduation ceremony at the Methodist Church Hall in Kingstown on Wednesday.{{more}}

Several overjoyed graduates gave testimonies elaborating on the benefits they have achieved by participating in the literacy program. Mahalia Toney who did the Financial Literacy course, said she is now better able to budget her finances.

She said that even though her car got into an accident on her way to class, she has no regrets about participating. The training she received has allowed her start a small business selling fudge and plantain chips. One lady confessed that she can now write an application without seeking the assistance of her children. The graduates received certificates in Civics, Financial Literacy, Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Life skills.

Laura Browne, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education said the programme is geared towards training persons so that they could become productive citizens of this country. She told them that it is not the end of their journey but merely the beginning. Browne assured the graduates of the Government’s support of the Adults and Continuing Education program. “The government is training persons so that living and production will be improved in SVG” she said. She expressed the delight that the learners have understood that the training they received is important and will make a difference in their lives. She urged the graduates to take full advantage of all the training opportunities awarded to them. She urged them to continue on the journey to making themselves “better and productive individuals for the development of our country”.

Although expressing disappointment that some Ministry of Education officials failed to turn up for the ceremony, Director of the Division of Adult and Continuing Education Hugh Wyllie said the participants should be applauded for making it to the end. He told the participants that “they have a right to access education”. The adult literacy programme was conducted in nine zones for one year and was sponsored by the European Union.