Youths impact 21st century life more than any other group – Peters-Fraser

Students of the Bishop’s College Kingstown have been urged to keep focusing on their education and careers, as there is no sustainability to be achieved in any country’s progress without the input of youth.

This was the message put forward by Kozel Peters-Fraser, guest speaker at Bishop’s College Kingstown’s (BCK) career fair, which took place last Thursday, April 21, at the school’s compound.{{more}}

“You bring fresh skills, you bring creativity, you bring talent; you have an energy and a capacity for learning!” enthused Peters-Fraser, coordinator at WINFA.

“You have a propensity for observing new technology in a rapidly changing world that calls for dynamism. More than any other group… youths impact the way people live in the 21st century… If young people’s minds are channelled in the right direction, you can actually be a source for change.”

A past student of BCK, Peters-Fraser also asserted that the talents of young people need to be channelled and harnessed in order to achieve social, political and economic change in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The keynote speaker also urged students to be mindful that success in life comes in a variety of packages, and is not only about becoming exceptionally wealthy.

“You cannot drop out of secondary school. It is not an option if you want to be successful. Not only is getting an education key to your success, getting a sound spiritual education is fundamental,” she insisted.

“Life is a lot about balance. You see, when life gets rough and life gets tough, having that spiritual focus is going to keep you grounded… If you dedicate your best to serving God first, everything else will fall into place.”

Peters-Fraser also had sage words for teachers, reminding them that a teacher’s duty should not only be to deliver information to students, but also to “inspire” them.

“You hold in your hands the success of our country and the wellbeing of its citizens. You are the key to helping every child in this country to realize their full potential… You are the most important fighters in the battle to make opportunity more equal.”

Kathleen Jeffers, career guidance officer within the Ministry of Education, also gave brief remarks at the event.

Commending the educational institution for hosting the career fair, Jeffers said: “It shows that you understand that our students need this type of activity to assist them in their career development.”

Jeffers assured her audience that the Ministry of Education has been “working assiduously” to ensure that policies and initiatives are implemented, which can further improve the issue of providing students with sound career advice and opportunities.

“We encourage you to have your students get the most out of their education… Develop their knowledge about work… Help them to become skill oriented… Link their academics to their career path; teach them to value gender, equity and cultural diversity.”

The school’s principal Cecelia Akers-King also addressed the audience briefly, assuring them that BCK continues to “praise, encourage and holistically develop” its students.

“It is our hope that today’s activities will enrich and enlighten all participants.”

Operating under the theme ‘Giving Every Child A Chance To Succeed’, the career fair featured a number of booths set up by both public sector and private sector entities.

These included the Ministry of Tourism, Sports and Culture; Service Commissions Department; Forestry Department; VINLEC; the National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission; and the Centre for Enterprise Development, among others. (JSV)