Education is the passport to endless possibilities. My own trajectory through life is testament to that. Many Anguillians can bear witness to the power of education and its ability to pull our people out of persistent poverty into a place of financial independence and prosperity. Every parent wants his or her child to be successful and to receive a quality education, and this has been a lifelong passion of mine – to support our children in this regard so that they are equipped to achieve more and to be the leaders that will take our country forward.
During this time, many students across our schools in Anguilla are graduating. This is a time of great pride and joy for our parents, teachers and children alike, as they transition from one school to the next and from one important developmental stage to another. This is also an important time of reflection as our students seek to refine their career paths and set important life goals. In Anguilla, we are proud of our students and their personal and academic achievements and wish them well in their new educational pursuits and endeavours.
Let us therefore work together to provide our children with a quality education through curriculum reform, continuing to fund our TVET programmes, and provide more scholarship opportunities to the disadvantaged and vulnerable. This must be a priority for the new administration as we seek to develop a workforce that is prepared to advance our productive capacity in a post COVID-19 economic environment. The Arts must be a critical component in our education system as it has multiple benefits to a child’s academic, social and psychological development. Let us pride ourselves on being the best in education content and delivery across the region.
This is also a critical time in world history and being a member of the graduating class of 2020 brings with it special responsibilities. The world now faces a health, security and economic crisis. Many countries around the world, including Anguilla, have been impacted by the Coronavirus. This pandemic has unearthed several gaps and deficiencies in leadership, organizational development, and governance. COVID-19 has swept through global economies like a plague – crashing markets, creating massive unemployment and exposing our extreme vulnerabilities to external shocks. Despite this dark reality that we face, I am encouraged by the ingenuity, resolve and determination of this new generation, who I believe will rise to the occasion and take these challenges head on. This is a time for our children’s creativity to be encouraged and maximized as we seek to address these challenges with a nuanced approach.
To the graduating class of 2020, I say a job well done! You can use this monumental occasion to propel you forward into the men and women who you want to be. I urge you to reach higher, expand your knowledge, test your boundaries and move beyond your limitations. You are the hope of this nation. Education is power, and with great power comes great responsibility. Use the knowledge that you will gain to do good and give back to your community. I encourage you to choose a career path that you are passionate about – a career path that gives you joy and a purposeful life.
Congratulations to all graduating students – the best is yet to come!
