44 graduate from YMCA
Tonight, 44 students from the Young Men Christian Association will be walking up the aisle at the Presbyterian Church to receive certificates of Excellence. The students, who range in age from 11 to 38-years old have spent the last year taking Literacy and Remedial Educational Classes. The classes are offered by the YMCA to those, who for some reason or the other did not complete their primary school education. Today, the graduates were given a second chance to acquire a higher education and employment.
Carolyn Gentle, Executive Director, YMCA
“This year we had a very, very hard bunch of students. Not hard in that we couldn’t teach them, but they came with a lot of difficulties. Some of them had reading issues, some of them were just sort of too slow and we had to work really hard. So this graduation is very special for us because most of those who applied to get into school, have gotten into schools despite their PSE grades. Some of them didn’t do as well. We only had a couple passes, but then their grades, especially since we worked with them and their Standard Five grades from the last school year, actually prompted them to get into a lot of high schools. Some have gotten into Edward P. Yorke, A.C.C., Centre for Employment Training, and different places, especially Ladyville Technical High which some of the kids commute from Hattieville and different places like that, so it’s actually a very good match for them.”
Jacqueline Woods
“So they’ll be receiving certificates?”
Carolyn Gentle
“Yes.”
Jacqueline Woods
“What can they to do with the certificate?”
Carolyn Gentle
“This certificate, is registered just like any other student graduating from a primary school system. So it is similar to a primary school leaving certificate that you would get from a regular 8-year school system. If they choose to, and they have the means to get a job, they can go out and get a job. They can also use it to get into another high school and if they want to transfer and they need a transcript, they cam also get those to assist, probably if they are leaving the country. Whatever the case may be, they have all the necessary paper work in place via the certificate, to get that done.”
Jacqueline Woods
“What are the ages of the students who will be graduating?”
Carolyn Gentle
“It ranges generally from about 11 or 12 to about 19 years old.”
Jacqueline Woods
“So the primary school age students who will be graduating will use that certificate to enroll in a high school?”
Carolyn Gentle
“Yes.”
Jacqueline Woods
“And the adults will use it to seek employment?”
Carolyn Gentle
“To seek employment, or if they want to go on to SJC Extension, some of the adults can actually use the certificates there because they do accept the certificate and they can go through the regular extension system and graduate, get their high school diploma and then if they want to go further they can go to 6th form and continue from there.”
The YMCA assists the students in getting enrolled in secondary education schools. Gentle says they work closely with Ladyville Technical High, Centre For Employment Training and the YWCA. Meanwhile, this summer, the YMCA will be holding its annual summer camp. If you are interested in having your child participate in any of the educational or recreational activities, please call the YMCA at 31514 or you can visit their headquarters at #12 Eve Street in Belize City.
