CFBC opens Adult Learning Centre
By VonDez Phipps
Reporter-SKNVibes.com
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IN commemoration of International Literacy Day, the Adult and Continuing Education Division of the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College (CFBC) yesterday officially opened its Adult Learning Centre under the theme ‘Literacy as a Remedy’.
The event was held at the Faith Tabernacle Church, situated within the Red Cross Building on Horsford’s Road, and among those present were government officials, teachers and a number of potential adult students.
The objective of the project is to equip and furnish the adult learning centre in such a manner that the adult learner would feel a sense of pride; a welcoming environment would be created; resources would be available to facilitate an integrated programme; and to ensure that the proper resources are in place to allow adult learners to become computer literate.
Project Coordinator Selma Broadbelt, an experienced educator, stated that in all her years of teaching she had realised that children who had difficulty learning were of teenage or functionally illiterate parents, and were not motivated or had not the necessary learning resources.
She noted that the best way to reach the children was to help their
parents and, by extension, the best way to help parents is to assist them in helping themselves.
During her overview of the project, Broadbelt mentioned that it had participated in the ‘Yes I Can’ Reading Programme - one which is highly recommended by UNESCO and was funded jointly by the governments of Cuba and St. Kitts-Nevis. She stressed the importance of the project to the country at large and noted that “empowering one adult means empowering many children”.
The Project Coordinator also cited a few challenges, which include getting the public to donate to the project and the limited resources available, while adding that her belief in the project was the impetus for her to persist.
Deputising for the Minister of Education, Senior Education Officer Rita Cable commended the organisers, contractor and public and private sectors for working together to ensure the establishment and success of the project.
Cable stated that although the three Rs - Reading, ‘Riting’ and ‘Rithmetic’ - create the fundamentals of literacy, the concept has gone beyond that.
“Literacy makes all the difference in one’s ability to contribute, in [his/her] full potential positively to society, broaden [his/her] horizons, explore new possibilities and enhance [his/her] public lives.
Literacy is not only linked to quantity but also to quality, as it has been researched how literacy empowers and creates self-awareness and also influences behaviour that would encourage good health practices.
“There is no doubt that literacy is a remedy for many ills,” Cable added.
Secretary General of the National Commission for UNESCO Antonio Maynard, in his address, revealed facts on the rates of literacy around the world and expressed his pleasure that such an initiative marks a successful system, which he would like to “keep intact via a systematic use of our limited resources”. ~~Adz:Right~~
Maynard said there is an urgent need to upscale youth learning centres to improve the quality of education and allow youth to apply their education and skills. He opined that literacy is a powerful, yet too often overlooked remedy to health threats with the potential to promote better nutrition, disease prevention and treatment.
The ceremony culminated in the official cutting of the ribbon by contractor Calvin Adams, who was joined by Rita Cable and Selma Broadbelt.
