The Adult and Continuing Education Unit in Anguilla has had its first graduation of students, calling attention to the usefulness of the courses to upgrade the skills of persons wishing to do so in various vocational, technical or academic pursuits.

The ceremony was held at the Teachers’ Resource Centre on September 2. The 57 graduates filed inside to a welcome from a number of public and private sector officials and others invited to the occasion.

Certificates were presented by Special Assistant in the Ministry of Social Development, Rhona Richardson, assisted by Teacher Valerie Hodge. There were 17 graduates in Computer Technology; 19 in Cake-making and Decoration; 8 in Electrical Installation; 9 in Sewing; and 4 in Car Maintenance. One six-grade student was among the graduates.

Coordinator of Adult and Continuing Education, Charles Connor, who chaired the ceremony, gave an overview of the programme which is based on the St. Lucia model and has had financial support from the Department For International Development in London and input from a number of consultants including Dr. Didacus Jules of St. Lucia. He stated that the programme was embarked on by the Government.

He quoted the state paper as saying that the Government considered “Continuing Education to be a life-long process which continues after completion of formal education.” It noted that this had become “particularly significant in an ever-changing scientific and technological age where it is necessary to keep abreast of those changes that will impact Anguilla’s economic and social development.”

Connor observed that the programme, overseen by a National Council for Adult and Continuing Education, offered a variety of courses under four general categories: technical or skills; academic upgrading; personal enrichment; and citizenship education.

Ms Rhona Richardson expressed the support for the programme of the Minister of Social Development, Eric Reid. Noting the large number of persons who participated in the programme, she remarked: “If this is the beginning, then we are on the right track.”

She congratulated the adult students and was grateful to the members of the National Council for its work.

Chief Education Officer, Verna Fahie, said the delivery of non-formal education has had a long history of contributions through the churches, Parent Teachers Associations, non-government organizations, service clubs, youth and other social clubs, each operating in its own sphere of mandate. “Government has taken a step to unite all of these along with our private provides in one package called “Adult and Continuing Education,” she said.

Among other individuals and groups, she expressed thanks to the Isle of Wight Council, represented by John Hilsum, for its assistance.

“Graduates, I need to ask a favour of you: each one, tell one,” she said. “Encourage others to make good use of the opportunity being provided…Take the first step in faith.”

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social Development, Orris Proctor, said Anguilla was part of an ever-changing and harshly competitive global environment. “Our region is moving towards a single economy which involves the free movement of skills and people throughout the region. We may as well face the stark reality that we will be able to function properly and indeed survive such an environment if we prepare ourselves properly.

“We must therefore seek to constantly improve our academic backgrounds and upgrade our existing skills…Education ands training must be a life-long learning experience. The Ministry of Education is therefore committed to providing a wide range of technical, vocational, academic and measured courses for our adult population…to assist in this area of a national development.”

He stated that the graduation ceremony provided tangible proof that the Adult and Continuing Education Programme is on the right track.”

Proctor congratulated the tutors for doing a great job and was grateful to the Education Department and the Coordinator, Mr. Connor, for upgrading the Adult and Continuation Education Unit. According to him, it had been developed from an agency providing evening classes for school leavers, wanting to obtain GCE and CXC certification to one providing a wide range of technical, vocational, academic and measured courses. He also thanked the Council for the guidance and direction it gave the Unit.

The feature address was delivered by Superintendent Minister of the Anguilla Methodist Circuit, Reverend Lindsay Richardson, a member of the Council. He said that among other things the programme offered adult students an opportunity to improve their education and skills and to bring pride to themselves and their families.

“If you can inspire your children to go to school every day, to focus on what is important in education and their development… and how it will benefit you, you will instill pride in them and no doubt inspire them to learn more,” he told the graduates.

He appealed to the graduates to tell others about the programme. He hoped that many more persons would take the courses so that the island could have a larger number of qualified people for employment in various fields of service.

A number of graduates expressed their appreciation for the Adult and Continuing Education Programme. They were Vernetta Richardson, Ashford Desouza, Kenda Cornelius and Othlyn Vanterpool.

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