Inaugural Adult Education Week launched in SVG

Officials of the Adult Education and Continuing Education Division and from the Ministry of Education say that adult education should not be mistaken for “just teaching persons to read and write”.{{more}}

The officials, speaking yesterday, Monday, September 6 at a special press conference to mark the inaugural launch of Adult Education Week, noted that literacy is just one component of adult education.

Kenneth King, Project Officer at the Adult and Continuing Education Division said that the popular misconception that adult education is only about teaching persons to read and write needs to be done away with, and that there were other components that the programme touches on.

“You have literacy, you have skills, you have business and life skills, you have civics where we empower persons and we also deal with the area of the environment.”

“What we aim to do here is to equip persons with the necessary skills, knowledge and attitude so that at the end of the day, we can have better citizens, who can become more productive so they could live happier, and at the same time, either reduce poverty or get them out of it.”

King called on the participants to help in the eradication of the myth by spreading the word about how helpful the programme and its components have been to them.

He observed that a number of persons become ‘turned off when they hear of adult education, because they equate it to illiteracy.

“We have been challenged over the years. So I am asking you that if ever you hear people talk about adult education as an illiteracy program, we expect you to help change that misconception.”

“All we are doing is continuing from where we left off… this is life long learning.”

“Whatever is done outside of the formal system is adult and continuing education; whether it is drama, dance, or even Bible study; it is all part of adult and continuing education once you are an adult,” King said.

Senior Education Officer Zan John George, also speaking at the launch, added that participants in the various programmes are not only excelling academically but also in the skills training program.

He highlighted the formation of a garment making company in the Windward zone, and that there are persons who are employed at the Buccama Resort coming out of the programme.

George indicated that the week of activities continues today, Tuesday with zonal exhibitions in Kingstown at the Singer building and at the San Souci Learning Resource Centre.

Tomorrow, Wednesday September 7, there will be a learners’ conference at the Kingstown Methodist Church Hall where outstanding performers will be recognized, and a field trip to Bequia on Thursday.

The week of activities began last weekend with church services on Saturday and Sunday.

The week of activities is being celebrated under the theme “Equipping Our Nation Through Adult and Continuing Education”. (JJ)