It was not just a graduation ceremony at the Houston Secondary School, it was going down memory lane, bearing witness to twenty -three youths from surrounding communities on the east bank of demerara, receiving their certificates after successfully completing the 2021, Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination.
Attended by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Secretary of the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), Mr. Richard Maughn, the graduation was held in the school’s auditorium. Mr. Maughn, who was a teacher at the learning institution more than ten years ago, said in his time the school held the status of a community high and was renamed to secondary, thanks to the dedication of the teachers and students who put in hard work to elevate the institution academically.
Twenty-three young persons, comprised of sixteen girls and seven boys, passed with flying colors in subjects, such as, Mathematics, English Language, Principle of Business and Accounts, Social Studies, Home Economics, Human and Social Biology, Integrated Science, Food and Nutrition and Information Technology.
Selected as guest speaker, Mr. Maughn further explained that it was honorable, when he received a call to be a part of at the graduation and without hesitation, with a proud look on his face, he hinted that the Houston Secondary School was just one of the country’s learning institutions he tutored children from depressed communities, that proved over the years to be high academic achievers.
Speaking to the gathering at the ceremony, the graduates received words of encouragement from the CEO, highlighting the need for humility, perseverance, dedication, adapting the habit of reading, acquiring technical skills and contributing to national development to prepare them for the world of work.
“You are the future for tomorrow and it necessary that every one of you see yourselves as leaders. This is just the beginning and you must do self-introspection in order to properly pursue your career paths. Many are doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers but if you look keenly at society, you would understand the demand needed in our labour sector. Acquiring academic certificates is a great move. However, technical and vocational education and training, is just as vital in this new age of work and with that said, I must point out the work the Board of Industrial Training, under the Ministry of Labour is doing to ensure young persons like yourselves are equip with the necessary skills to earn and become entrepreneurs.” Mr. Maughn noted.
Closing off his speech, he told the graduates whatever they set out to do, going forward, it must be done with dignity and they must be ready and willing to serve others who are in search of self-development. He also hinted, that many of their peers are daily faced with several societal flaws, hindering them from attending school and that they should use their hard work and achievement to inspire other youth like themselves to aim for greatness.
PC| BIT
(Board of Industrial Training, Public Relations Department).