It is difficult not to pause from the political and other current affairs issues in Anguilla to pay attention to the splendid graduations put on last week, and again this week, by our public and private schools across the island.
It seems that every year the pomp and ceremony attached to the graduations are getting better and better. The fact is that not only is there a growing excitement among the schools, students and their parents preparing for the colourful and spectacular graduations. But the general citizenry and spirit of Anguilla are caught up in the passionate emotion of the preparations and eventual ceremonies as well.
The graduations do not come cheaply. It is to be admired how the parents appear to go all out to lend their unwavering support to the hardworking teachers on planning for, and executing, the graduation ceremonies. It is the responsibility of the parents to fit out the students in costly gowns and caps largely reflecting the colours of the schools, as well as to dress them in the best footwear which their scarce financial resources can ill afford. They are to be commended, taking into consideration the prevailing financial difficulties gripping our island today. It is also admirable to see what appears to be the unflinching willingness with which individual and business sponsors provide the necessary sponsorships for deserving students receiving awards.
In reflecting on graduations, including his own primary school graduation – Mr Dwayne Adams, now an IT Teacher at the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School, marvelled about how quickly time flies between graduations, the growth and development of the students and their eventual embarking on their own. The point Mr Adams made was that the school system has a vital role to play in educating the island’s children, during the rapid passage of time, and preparing them to contribute both to their personal and national development. An ordained Baptist Pastor, he also counselled parents to provide the necessary spiritual guidance to their children so that, when they grow up, it would be a positive influence in assisting them to be successful and productive citizens in Anguilla.
As indicated earlier, the passion with which parents continue to prepare their children for the graduations, and proudly stand at their side, cannot escape the discerning eye of onlookers at the ceremonies. This is particularly evident in the case of the kindergarten and preschool graduations. The young children are given the most tender and caring attention imaginable. However, as they grow older, there is an apparent tendency, by some parents, to move away from that quality of concern and love they exhibited, to the extent that they appear to abandon their parental function in this regard.
As a consequence, teachers often complain about some children entering the primary schools with behavioural problems which they carry forward in the comprehensive school and then, if not checked, into the community. We certainly do not want any misfits in our small developing society, and so everybody should hope that all of our just-graduated students would eventually turn out to be beacons of hope and positive contributors to the forward movement of Anguilla.
It may be fitting, at this juncture, to express appreciation to all organisations and churches in Anguilla which are working assiduously in shaping the lives and future of our children and other young people. Included in that grouping must, of course, be the Ministry and Department of Education, Youth Affairs, Culture and Sports; and the Ministry and Department of Social Development, and all other agencies. Gratitude is also extended to the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank which has just introduced a Mentorship Programme for six graders in Anguilla (and other member territories in the sub-region), and the Caribbean Office of UNESCO which just this week held a special meeting to work out strategies to assist children in Anguilla and other Eastern Caribbean islands.
But charity begins at home. So we must recognise the hard work of our various schools and teachers in Anguilla, in particular, and thank them for their sterling contribution to the learning process and the growth and development of our children. The splendour of the graduation ceremonies alone is an important contribution towards inculcating in them a sense of pride and a positive spirit of achievement. Kudos, and every good wish to all of our schools and teachers.
