The 10th anniversary ASEP graduating class of 2012. Photo: VINO

The exercise began with a brilliant challenge from Acting Chief Education Officer, Mrs Jillian Douglas-Phillip when she asked at the end of her opening remarks “Life is in session, are you present?” For the Programme which was established in 2002 to provide a second chance of a secondary certification to students over the age of sixteen, the question was most appropriate.

The Ag Chief Education Officer spoke about realising potential, growth in various facets of one’s life as well as the importance of taking action in the present as opposed to dwelling on future aspirations among other things in achieving goals.

The graduating class of 17 students appeared anxious and exuberant for the most part as they prepared to receive their certificates upon completion of the various subject areas such as English, Mathematics and Social Studies. Four students also received certificates in a technical/vocational subject.

Premier Smith told the graduating batch that as the future custodians of the Virgin Islands (VI), they had the added responsibility of ensuring that they handed over the Territory to the next generation in a better shape than they had received it. He also told them that the path to success in this world “rests on the foundation of discipline, sacrifice, hard work and above all else, self-respect.”

Minister for Education Hon. Myron V. Walwyn continued along the path of the Premier in saying that the success of the VI was based on the success of the students as individuals and what they would do with their newly earned academic achievements. He encouraged them to investigate the sort of contribution they would like to make to their personal development while noting that an integral part in achieving any of their goals was continuing their education.

He expressed the hope that the students would have taken full advantage of the tuition free opportunity presented at the HLSCC. “How well you achieve your ambitions, depends largely on your level of preparedness,” he said while encouraging them to approach the future with the same level of enthusiasm and determination displayed during the years of study. He further urged that they explore new opportunities that would come their way as a result of their graduation.

In a press release sent out earlier by the Ministry of Education, Programme Coordinator Mrs. Cecily Malone said that the programme gives the students a sense of hope and makes them stronger because it provides an alternative means of achieving their secondary education while balancing the demands of work, family life and study. These coping skills that are developed can be used in other situations in their lives.

“Secondary education is the basis of entry into the job world or higher education.  Without this secondary education some of the students would lose hope,” Mrs. Malone said. She continued, “Knowing that there are persons who are passed what we might called “school age,” who realised that they did not have what they need to move on in life, they were able to come and say to us “I need a Secondary Education,” and with determination stuck it out and succeeded. This gives me a sense of joy, pride and accomplishment seeing that I was able to help somebody along life’s way.”

During the graduation exercise, students received their certificates on stage from Hon. Walwyn before engaging in a celebration of their accomplishments. Students, both past and present, then offered testimonials and shared the ways in which they were influenced by the programme.

The examinations are set and marked by the Department of Education and students must pass five subjects including English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Human and Social Biology and a technical/vocational subject to be certified.