This week, Anguillians heard the good news that the long-delayed Community College Development Project had been officially launched and that construction work will commence later in the year after the necessary preparations have been completed. This follows approval of a multi-million-dollar loan by the Caribbean Development Bank and, of course, the consent of the British Government for the Anguilla Government and the Community College to borrow the money.
This is a very big and important project for Anguilla. It is also most satisfying and commendable that the local project proposers were able to convince such a prestigious regional financial institution that the project is not only badly needed, but has the potential to be a viable and sustainable undertaking. The forthcoming project puts Anguilla on par with most other Caribbean territories which boast about higher education institutions from which their people benefit greatly. The project has indeed been long in materialising but, as the saying goes, nothing happens before its time. When it does, in most cases, the wait turns out to be worthwhile.
There is no political mileage to be gained from the project in the run-up to the election campaign or the fact that it happens to be located in District 2. The project proposal has spanned the lifetime of both the former and present Governments of Anguilla and has come about mainly through the persuasion and foresight of personnel at the Community College and senior officials in the Ministry of Education. Coming at this time, however, underscores the increasing and urgent need for our people to be adequately prepared, both academically and otherwise, to perform leading roles in the development of their homeland. Dr Idamay Denny, the CDB’s Project Coordinator, speaking at the launching ceremony, made the point that “Education is a transformational vehicle for economic growth and development.” Both the Community College and the Government must give reality and fulfilment to that statement for the people of Anguilla.
Certainly, it is a matter of pride and reassurance that the possibilities of tertiary education are right on our doorsteps, being provided by our own institution for our own people. It means that increasingly, in some cases, our students will not have to travel abroad for higher education, thus sparing themselves separation from families and unnecessary expense to live and study abroad. Further, it is envisioned that in time a number of regional students will be attracted to Anguilla to enrol in academic and skills development programmes at our fully-accredited and respected Community College. Their coming will also have economic and tourism implications for Anguilla.
As it stands, our Community College is achieving a number of successes in attracting local students as it rolls out its varied degrees and certificate courses. In the near future, there will be many graduates with Associate of Science Degrees in Hospitality & Tourism Management, Business Studies, Management Information Systems, Early Childhood Education and Post-Graduate Diplomas in Education. There is also a full range of Technical and Vocational Education courses available, and already preparations are in hand to accommodate the Sixth Form of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School – something that will be fully achieved when the new Community College building is completed. Another matter worth mentioning is the fact that our tertiary institution is doing very well in establishing linkages with other regional and international colleges and universities which augur well for its proper functioning, educational offerings and recognition.
There is an urgent need for our political leaders to realise that while the provision of education results in having suitable personnel for the job market, there is the corresponding requirement to create the necessary job opportunities for our qualified people. When we have an educated people, whether in academics or skills, and employment for them, much will have been achieved in truly developing our citizens and our homeland. Yes, right now, our economic and investment situation is difficult, but we must begin to put in place plans that would create a great deal of public and private sector development and provide a strong and diverse job market in Anguilla. We cannot have an educated people idly sitting down fanning themselves with degrees and certificates and nothing else to do with their qualifications.
In short, with a high level of education and training, and a variety of suitable job opportunities, Anguilla, though small, can become a bustling and prosperous society in the region.
