There is no shortage these days of what one may call hotly-debated topics with respect to a wide variety of political, social and economic concerns for editorial writing. But, in this week’s edition of The Anguillian, it may seem uncaring and neglectful not to pay the highest tribute to the island’s various educational institutions –comprising, in particular, the Early Childhood Education Centres (Pre-Schools) and the Primary and Comprehensive Schools. These are of course separate from the tertiary level institutions which are also proudly operating in Anguilla. By simply referring to ‘schools’ we are obviously speaking about the teachers and the students, and the point of the commendation is the varied spectacular graduations witnessed by so many people throughout the island over the past several days.
In earlier years it was thought that graduations were only reserved for students completing secondary level education in Anguilla but, as the years progressed, graduation ceremonies have spread like a fever in every school and at the summit of every phase of learning. Thus one finds that a considerable amount of pride, effort, pomp and circumstance, is put in the graduations. This is not only done by the schools, but by parents and guardians as well, and the children themselves – in every graduating class – are always brimming with excitement at such culminating events. It has also been observed that the public in general is caught up in the drama and this accounts for the teeming crowds which seemingly make it a point of duty to be in attendance.
Graduation ceremonies are clearly not cheap. The attractive and flowing gowns, caps, footwear, and the various glamorous accessories, in which the graduands are attired, come at a considerable high cost borne by families. What is also a source of much admiration is that some parents, who can ill-afford the luxury of the gowns, make what is believed to be a tremendous effort to suit out their children – thus not one of them is made to feel less than the other. All of the graduating students therefore enjoy a shared opportunity to join in the graduation procession much to the applause of all.
Graduation is not the end of the journey of our students as the various feature speakers have stressed. At the lower schools, it is a step to higher forms of learning in the education system. At Sixth Form, in the Comprehensive School, graduation is still not the end. For some graduating students, it is an opportunity to pursue further studies at higher institutions locally or abroad – if the money is available. For others, it is an opportunity to proceed to the world of business and work, but these days there are very few employment opportunities – suitable or otherwise – to engage their interest and earning power. Thus, unfortunately, many of our brilliant students are either forced to indefinitely postpone their formal studies or join the ranks of the unemployed.
In both cases this is most unfortunate. In one instance it means that Anguilla is being robbed of a chance to have more qualified professionals in various fields of learning – and to continue on a commendable path blazed by so many of our other young people now filling positions of influence and honour at home and abroad. In another instance, Anguilla is being robbed of an opportunity to have at the work places, in the public and private sectors, teams of young and intelligent citizens contributing much of the knowledge and skill they learned in the schools over the years.
There is clearly an urgent need to reverse the situation and to provide hope and purpose for our teeming youth after they have completed their education whether at indigenous institutions or those outside Anguilla. It is almost a nightmare to witness the mass of young people at the graduation ceremonies, and to ponder on what type of future is awaiting the graduates in the land of their birth or, in some cases, their adopted home. Imagine the strain on our economy and social services to have large numbers of children eventually out of school and jobless on the streets!
The problems outlined above are matters to be addressed by our political leaders in particular. Admittedly, it is no easy task these days to work at, but there is a great need to give serious thought as to how we will be able to handle the growing numbers of school leavers each year, having gone from one graduation to another. The youth population in Anguilla is a very large one and it demands good and careful attention and management lest it gets out of hand.
In the meantime, The Anguillian takes much pleasure in congratulating all the schools, teachers, students, parents and guardians, for a series of excellent and impressive graduations. We especially offer our best wishes to all the graduates and hope that they will eventually achieve all the goals to which they must aspire, despite the distressing odds against them.
