Education Minister encourages graduates of Roadside Baptist Church Skills Training Center to further their studies
The Roadside Baptist Church Skills Training Center in Corentyne, Berbice today hosted its 20th graduation ceremony. Approximately 100 of the graduates were primarily teenagers who pursued training in Information Technology shortly after sitting the CXC examinations. The batch also included teenagers who took advantage of the second opportunity to prepare for CXC Mathematics and English.
A section of the gathering at the graduation ceremony at the Roadside Baptist church, Corentyne, Berbice
The programme is certified by the Adult Education Association of Guyana.
Executive Director of the Adult Education Association Ms. Patricia David speaking at the graduation at the Roadside Baptist church, Corentyne, Berbice
Additionally, 50 persons including both adults and teenagers benefited from training in Gender Based Violence, and they as well graduated today. The Gender Based Violence Project entitled “Engaging Men and Boys, traditional leaders and community initiatives in addressing and preventing Gender Based Violence and HIV/AIDS” is supported by the United States Agency for International Development and the Civil Society and Democracy Strengthening Project (USAID/CSDS).
Co-ordinator of the event and Chief Executive Officer of the church Ms. Yetrawatee Katryan
The center also offers other educational components that include Remedial Education, Basic English and Mathematics and Technical and Vocational Skills Training especially for school dropouts and disadvantaged women.
The center has recently completed the training of 26 single parents with support from the Board of Industrial Training (BIT). The current batch of the Remedial education programme has about 38 learners and the adult functional literacy has two.
Mr. Thomas Pierce, Deputy Head of Mission, U.S Embassy
The event was graced by members of the diplomatic corps, and Regional and Government officials. Among those present were Minister of Education Priya Manickchand, Executive Director of The Adult Education Association of Guyana Ms. Patricia David, Region Six Chairman Mr. David. Armogan, Deputy Head of Mission for the US Embassy, Mr. Thomas Pierce, and Head of the Research Unit of the Ministry of Home Affairs Mr. Clement Henry.
Some of the graduating batch performing a song at the event
Minister Manickchand in her address highlighted how important it is for young people to be educated. She said that the graduates can now secure a job which will be for the betterment of their entire families because it will add to the number of breadwinners in the home. She encouraged the students to further their studies and take this course as the first step toward advancing their education.
Minister of Education Priya Manickchand delivering her remarks at the graduation
The event was chaired by Patricia Bisnauth, the wife of the late Reverend Bisnauth. Dr. Bisnauth during his years as Minister of Education and even after had supported this programme. The centre has been working to improve the lives of many young people, providing a second chance to school dropouts and teenage parents so that they too can have a good future.
A student receiving his certificate
The Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Education has supported the programme through an annual subvention.
