THE Carnegie School of Home Economics held its 79th Annual Graduation Exercise last Thursday, and 96 students of hope and promise from the Craft Production and Design Division graduated, many with distinctions in various disciplines, bringing added distinction to the prestigious institution which holds a reputation for success.

The ceremony was held at the National Cultural Centre under the theme “Excellence Through Creativity”, and came at a time when that prestigious institution is celebrating its 80th year of existence, having commenced operations in 1933. The institution has since grown from strength to strength, with added programmes and courses being offered.

The graduating class is as follows:
* Household Management – Commercial Food Preparation (27 graduates)
* Household Management – Garment Construction (2)
* Cosmetology (22)
* Catering and Hospitality (31)
* Visual Arts (22)

During the past year, the following programmes were conducted, principal of the institution, Ms. Penelope Harris, said:

* Household Management: (Commercial Food Preparation and Garment Construction)

* Catering and Hospitality
* General Cosmetology
* Interior Decoration
* Evening Programmes
* Vacation Courses
* Interior Decoration
* Special courses requested by hotels, government ministries, private organisations and individuals

Two of the foregoing, namely General Cosmetology and Commercial Food Preparation, were competency-based and led to the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ).

Areas to which the students are exposed during their period of study, depending on their chosen programmes, include (A): Home Economics Management; Food and Nutrition; Clothing and Textiles; Visual Arts; English; Social Studies; Mathematics; Entrepreneurial Studies; and Life Skills.
(B) Interior Decoration; Pattern Making; Dressmaking; Child Care; Care for the Elderly; Culinary Arts; Dietitian Aide; and Food Preservation.

(C) Hair Care; Nail Care; Facial Care; Massage; Visual Arts; English; Social Studies; Mathematics, and Entrepreneurial Skills.[box type=”shadow” align=”alignright” width=”200px” ] Leading performers display their trophies at the graduation.       [/box]

Diploma in Catering and Hospitality:

This programame is divided into three sections: Food and Beverage Service; Hot Meat Preparation, and Bake Shop/Garden Manger.
Important areas covered by every caterer include:

* Menu Planning
* Food Sanitation and Hygiene
* Food Science
* Nutrition Food and Beverage Cost Control

Other elective subjects include:

* Introduction to Hospitality
* Customer Care
* Marketing, Catering, Maths
* Entrepreneurial Studies, and English and Communication

Full-time students of the Catering and Hospitality Diploma Programme are deployed on attachments/internships at a number of hotels, including Cara Suites, Cara Lodge, Princess Hotel, Regency Suites, Grand Coastal Inn, the Pegasus Hotel, Roraima Group of Companies, the Exclusive Kingston House and Campsite, Atlantic Inn and Campsite, among others.
Chairman of the Board of Governors, Mr. John Seeram, congratulated the graduates the hard-working and dedicated staff, and other members of the board for their part played in moving the institution forward.
He urged the graduates, even amidst celebration, on the path ahead. “You are now at a crucial stage of your career and still some distance away from your desired destination, but I caution you graduates, that your achievements should be taken in the spirit of modesty and simplicity. You should always remember all those individuals who have contributed to your success, including your tutors/lecturers, parents, relatives, friends and associates.”
Seeram commended those who may have aided by way of imparting knowledge and skills; and would have provided financial and other material and moral support in order to help create a conducive learning and teaching environment for the graduates.
He commended those significant others who have invested time, money and other resources in the graduates, and reminded the graduates that the support system has high expectations of them. He admonished the graduates not to disappoint the support system.
Citing some of the work options, he pointed to job opportunities in the following areas: Tourism, Hospitality, Catering Services; Visual Arts, Teaching and the Establishment of Small-Scale Businesses, among other occupations. He also enlightened them on the possibility of pursuing higher education at the University of Guyana in the areas of Tourism Studies and Creative Arts at both the Diploma and Degree levels.
Seeram said the Carnegie School of Home Economics presently continues to fulfil a pressing need for technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in the areas of Home Economics, Tourism and Hospitality.
Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Mr. Alfred King, described the Carnegie School of Home Economics as an institution to be proud of. He acknowledged the tremendous work of those tasked with keeping the institution going, and said he hopes the institution keeps evolving, in keeping with new trends as well as the needs of Guyana’s young people.
King noted that the institution is fundamental to growth and development of our human resource base, as well as to the pool of diverse skills resources at our disposal that could contribute in meaningful ways to growth and development in almost every sector of society.
While recognising that education contributes to the reduction of poverty, unemployment and poor choices, he pointed to a fundamental lack in a special type of education that would guarantee not only existence, but meaningful participation in social and economic activities. That he saw as the robust acquisition of technical and vocational skills, and he congratulated the Carnegie School of Home Economics for filling this valued niche.
To this end, King alluded to the power and influence of small businesses on developing economies. “But that cannot be without the right tools and right mix of skills that would contribute to the development of these skills,” he contended, adding that focusing on such education system can seriously influence the generation of wealth and good living.
King argued strongly that a large pool of people equipped with the right vocational skills would be able to turn around the economy, and impact heavily on economic and social development.
“We must value and recognise the contribution that technical and vocational skills have been making over the years. It has a serious and fundamental role, and that role is to equip boys and girls (without limit) with the fundamentals that would allow them to develop technical skills necessary to support an industrialised developing country.”
In wrapping up, King also stressed the need for a decentralisation of the training offered by the Carnegie School of Home Economics to other regions of the country. Holding the institution in high esteem, the Permanent Secretary said that ever since the hosting of Carifesta X in Guyana, and again at Carifesta in Suriname in 2013, the ministry has accredited the Carnegie School of Home Economics as a good partner. “Basically, we are always proud of our partnership with the institution,” he said.
Against this backdrop, Mr. King would like to see the Carnegie School of Home Economics being extended to other regions of Guyana, so that none would be denied the opportunity of benefiting from such valuable training.

(By Shirley Thomas)