Top Male Student, Bradley Holder, receives his official document from Chair of the Erdiston Teachers’ Training College, Dr. Sylvia Henry.
Continuing education must not only be made for those academically inclined, but for all.
Making this statement, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training, Senator Dr. Romel Springer, said continuing education must foster sustainable and inclusive economic growth, noting this was achievable if areas of focus were linked to the needs of society.
“It is therefore absolutely essential that we conduct a critical analysis of our societal, social and economic needs, with the intention of creating programmes which identify and hone the requisite skills to address the challenges we face as a people here in Barbados,” he said.
“While the courses offered are varied, there is still some scope, once resources permit, for the inclusion of more general interest and skill-based subjects. This would ensure a greater balance between those areas that currently target teachers and prospective teachers, and those that can target persons who may not want to enter into the teaching profession, but may want to enter the industry,” he stressed.
At the time, he was delivering the feature address to the 2020 Graduating Class of the Erdiston Teachers’ Training College on Saturday night on the grounds of the educational institution.
Meanwhile, in her remarks, Chair of the College Dr. Sylvia Henry urged the administrators of the programmes to listen to the needs of the community and to design courses relevant to those desires.
“It is important that these are done with relevance to societal change,” she stressed.
Henry encouraged them to develop the continuing programme to an established Erdiston Continuing Education Centre, offering formal continuing education credits that can be articulated across the tertiary landscape. (JMB)