THE Craft Production and Design Division of the Ministry of Education successfully staged its 22nd graduation exercise jointly with that of the Carnegie School of Home Economics on Thursday, November 12, at the National Cultural Centre in Georgetown.Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes extended special congratulations to the administrator, Mrs Kim Gordon, staff and students of the school, and

commented that she was unaware that the school existed as a separate entity from Carnegie.

The minister also invited the school to create “signature” craft items which Guyana could use as official tokens for foreign diplomats whenever she travels to participate in activities, like international conferences. She suggested that the items must “promote and identify Guyana’s tourism product”, and urged the students to adopt positive attitudes which could enhance their prospects in life.

“Your attitude determines your altitude. Never doubt your ability as a young person to dream,” Minister Hughes encouraged, adding: “Be confident, strong and self-assured.”

Administrator of the Craft and Design Division, Mrs. Kim Gordon, explained in a report presented during the ceremony that the students have excelled in Visual Arts, Garment Construction, Surface Decoration, Decorative Craft, Fibre Arts, Leather Craft, Information Technology, and in basic academic subjects.

Gordon said the Craft Production and Design Division has been listed as one of the most prestigious technical vocational institutions in Guyana.
“It fits snugly into the national initiative, especially with the recent completion of the first National Strategic Plan for TVET. The first of its kind in the Caribbean, it forms a component of the Ministry of Education’s 2013-2018 Strategic Plan”.

“A small part of the whole”, as she perfectly puts it, the school has played major roles in development here, participating in major national and regional exhibitions, the Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) being one of the greater accomplishments.

Gordon explained that the school is instrumental in making training available for early school leavers as young as 15 years old and those interested in craft as a career and for commercial benefits. The school’s certificates are endorsed by the Ministry of Education.

“As a remedial institution, it quite evidently attracts predominantly young females from a wide cross-section of society,” Mrs Gordon said, adding that some of the students are sponsored by the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, the Ministry of Social Protection, and by other agencies.

The newly empowered students are now better positioned to be employed, to begin mass production of items, and to further their studies at higher institutions, Mrs Gordon explained.

STAND-OUTS
Valedictorian Asenna Moonsammy, 16, received five distinction awards.
Moonsammy has excelled above 28 other students, and is now a first year student of the University of Guyana, reading for a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. Moonsammy was also named best graduating student in Garment Construction, and received distinctions in Mathematics, Reading, Social Studies, English Language and Garment Construction — five of the eight academic subjects offered.

She received trophies and gift awards for her accomplishments, and has taken away skills and accomplishments that can last her a lifetime.

Roshana Morris, the second most-successful student at the school’s graduation, has captured the award for being best graduating student in Visual Arts. She has also attained distinctions in Information Technology and Mathematics, and received trophies and gift awards.

The two girls were among those awarded by government in the recent Ministry of Education National Schools Awards.
Twenty-nine students have accomplished certification status after successfully completing the one-year programmes offered through the Ministry of Education’s Technical Vocational Institute.

At the ceremony, the school also recognised its sponsors, awarding former Chairman of its board of directors, John Seeram.

By Shauna Jemmott