ROSEAU Dominica,September 1st, 2011 marked the commencement of a month long activities, marking Adult Education month. The month of activities which are spearheaded by the Adult Education Division is being held under the theme: “Transcend your Horizons – Learn to Make Life Better.”
While delivering an address on the occasion, Hon. Minister of Social Services, Community Development and Gender Affairs, Gloria Shillingford, called on nationals to embrace the month of activities.
“The onus is on the small team of people to facilitate the process of making lives better. “Believe you can and you are halfway there;” these are the famous words of Theodore Roosevelt, a writer whose words lend character to the staff of the Adult Education Division.”
She said that it is a well-known fact that education is a catalyst for human development. However, in order to be effective, the education which is provided should be sound, equitable, culturally sensitive and economically just, which is what the Adult Education Division is striving for.
“The Adult Education Division is committed to provide adult learners in Dominica with the type of education which will prepare them to function in the workplace, handle crisis, be resilient and become responsible citizens; the type of education which will equip them to take decisions and advocate peace and change for a more sustainable society.”
Minister Shillingford reported that a lot of progress has been made in their quest to observe the UNESCO target set for 2015, in achieving education for all.
“The number of children accessing education has increased, gender gaps are narrowing and more children are moving from primary to secondary and even tertiary education. Nonetheless, the Adult Education Division will continue to increase its efforts at bring literacy to adult learners around Dominica who are unable to access education through the usual media.
In working towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, it is imperative that the education opportunities be maximised so as to obtain maximum benefits for all.”
She said that the Adult Education Division is working hard at increasing the access margin to educational development, considering the fact that increase access to and progress in education are critical for the achievement of the wider millennium development goals in areas such as poverty reduction, nutrition, child survival and maternal health.
“It must be emphasised that adult learning is important to any developing country and will greatly assist persons to survive in this globally competitive world. Therefore, every effort is being made, on the part of the Adult Education Division, to have greater inclusion of all persons needing the opportunity.
It is recognised that those most in need of the opportunities are often the ones who participate the least in activities implemented by the Division. This means that increased mobilization and motivation skills are necessary. The latter already forms an important part of the Division’s programming.”
According to Shillingford, the Staff of the Adult Education Division is strongly advocating the importance of literacy, as it opens doors to better livelihoods, improved health and expanded opportunities.
“As new issues such as, the changing nature of work, the upward trend of Information Communication Technology (ICT), gender, health and the environment emerge and demand constant attention from Government and people alike, the Adult Education Division is faced with a greater challenge.
Therefore, finding new ways and strategies to motivate and involve those who are looked upon as being excluded, remains a major challenge for us. The Division is utilising all its resources to adequately identify needs and strengthen professional development to meet the challenges.
Let us make a difference by offering to teach a skill or by improving your own skills to enable you to participate more fully in national development. In this way, you will not only make your life better, but that of your fellow Dominicans as well.”
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