Adult Learners Motivated at Symposium

Minister of Education Honourable Nigel Carty and CFBC Acting Principal Sonia Boddie-McPhail

St. Kitts, April 13, 2010 (SKNIS): The students enrolled in the Adult and Continuing Education (ACE) Division of the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College (CFBC) were encouraged to apply themselves and make the sacrifices necessary to become successful in their courses of study.

At a Motivational Symposium held under the theme “Time + Hard Work = Success,” Acting CFBC Principal Mrs. Sonia Boddie-McPhail noted that the adult learners have a challenging task. She accepted that they have to balance course assignments and studying against fulltime jobs and work in the home which often included devoting time to spouses and children. The CFBC Principal empathized that these learners also have numerous other commitments. However, she highlighted that because of their maturity, they are often goal-oriented, and their upgraded education is being used as a life improvement tool. The additional qualification can be used towards acquiring a job, a better job, a promotion or even the ability to assist one’s children with their homework. The Principal acknowledged that the students perceived education as a vehicle for personal growth and development. She explained that the symposium would provide study tips, time management strategies and effective study methods.

ACE Administrative Officer, Mrs. Selma Broadbelt, gave the background of the Symposium, informing that it commenced two years previously when the ACE staff consulted about new methods to motivate adult learners.

She noted that the resulting event uses particular ways of encouraging learning with, objectives being to take adult students away from the classroom setting to discuss ways of maximizing their time leading up to exams; to allow successful adults to share their experiences as a way of motivating others; and to give pointers to adult learners of how to sit exams successfully.

Minister of Education and Information Honourable Nigel Carty told students that their presence indicated the value of education and that it was important to their individual and collective well-being. He emphasized that they were present because they knew that education opened doors and expands opportunities for themselves and their families. Like the previous speakers, he noted that with their upgraded qualifications, ACE students would be able to pursue desired careers, access University-level education and obtain higher paying jobs.

Minister Carty declared that he was proud of the fact that all citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis have access to education and training unlike other parts of the world. He advised that an organized approach to studying was best and encouraged students to create a daily schedule that includes a “to do list” made up of classroom assignments, past papers to be used as revision tools. He urged them to create a mantra of “I will not procrastinate, but I will do it today, I will do it as soon as possible.”

Other bits of advise offered by the Education Minister included bringing family and friends on board and creating rosters to share the housework.

CFBC Counselor Mrs. Sonia Herbert conducted a session on Time Management while Assessment Specialist Mr. Randy Taylor presented Learning Styles, Study Skills and Examination Techniques.