‘Education a key to a second chance’

― Kildonan night school graduate testifies

DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, September 10, 2019

Thirty-seven-year-old Onaza Haynes of Eversham Village never thought of going back to school, but after seeing the country moving forward and the opportunities that would soon become available with the production of oil, she realised the need to educate herself.

In an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Haynes, the mother of one is among the many who have benefitted from the programme provided by the Kildonan Night School. Managed by the Youth Champions Network (YCN), a Non-Governmental Organisation in the village, the learning facility has already been impacting the lives of many.

Haynes recalled that she first wrote examinations twenty-one years ago but faced some challenges in securing jobs over the years. On hearing of the programme offered at the Night School, she decided to sit three subjects.

At the time she enrolled, the sessions had already commenced. However, that did not deter the persistent woman from pursuing her goal. “Classwork was not difficult for me… with the simple teaching methods and patience of the tutors, they had made it easy for me. I always did my best and participated in discussions and tried to be the first to answer any questions. I volunteered to read and always did my homework. I was cognisant that working with my teachers, I will be the one benefiting in the long run.”

The Kildonan Night School offers five subjects; Mathematics, English Language, Principles of Business (POB), Social studies and Integrated Science at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations. Haynes sat three and was ecstatic after she obtained Grades 1,2 and 3 at the 2019 CSEC.

“I’ve made myself and the school proud. I am now looking forward to a brighter future.  I would like to advise young persons to enrol themselves in similar programmes offered by the government. It doesn’t matter if you are a teenage mother, a school dropout or you weren’t successful at CSEC, our government has made it possible for you – just look at me.”

While she has not yet made up her mind if she will attend the University of Guyana, the Berbice Scholar is determined to pursue tertiary education.

Haynes commended the Coordinator of the School, Collin Moore “who fought for the night school to be established in Kildonan Village and the Ministry of the Presidency who initiated the night school.”

Meanwhile, Moore disclosed that they “are expecting a very successful year. I have been working with the teachers to ensure that we offer the best services to the learners and we look forward to providing second chances to many who are seeking to improve their lives.”

The night institution resumed classes for its second batch on September 9, following an orientation on September 7.

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