For so many years, the primary focus of the educational system in Grenada had been on the advancement of those young people who would eventually proceed on to the university and professional studies. Many young people whose talents rested outside of the academic sphere were unable to pass the Common Entrance Examination, and were denied admission to the secondary schools. Among those who did enter secondary school, some became discouraged by their inability to keep pace with the academic programme, and left the school system at an early age.
Based on the SERVOL model, the Catholic, Anglican, Methodist and Presbyterian Church Communities headed by Bishop Emeritus Sydney Charles founded the New Life Organization (NEWLO) in 1984 initially for those young men and women whose interest was in getting a technical or vocational education and training. Their age range was 17-24. Most of those young people were from vulnerable homes and families. In recent years, however, NEWLO has extended its coverage to adult males and females of all ages who desire to pursue Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) whether they are academically inclined or not. In recent years the crop of trainees are school dropouts, secondary school graduates, college graduates, single mothers and other mature people.
The training programme at NEWLO commences with the Adolescent Development Programme (ADP/Life Skills). The majority of the young people who come to NEWLO come from families marked by cyclical violence and a good number of them spend their time on the streets where they are exposed to drugs and all kinds of risk factors. Therefore the 13 weeks life skills programme is aimed at developing basic skills such as Mathematics, English, Reading, and Computer Skills, while at the same time, providing personal development courses geared toward increasing self-esteem and confidence. Spirituality is at the heart of the programme.
A trainee who successfully completes the ADP is then invited to do one or two of the skills offered at the centre for a duration of 6 to 18 months:
1. Hospitality Arts (Food Preparation and Cookery, Housekeeping, Restaurant and Bar Service)
2. Plumbing
3. Electrical Installation
4. General Construction/Maintenance
5. General Cosmetology
6. Computer Engineering (Internationally Certified)
7. Garment Construction/Fashion Design
8. Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration
9. Health Care
10. Carpentry and Furniture Making
11. Early Childhood Development
Stay tuned for more on the story of NEWLO in part 2.
Looks like a great opportunity. Looking forward to reading more on this!
Very important work that this type of school offers. I was the principal at a vocational school in the United States, so I understand the mission of your school. God Bless!!
Thank you Sr Margaret for this great insight into what education looks like in Grenada. It seems too many people drop out of school in Grenada but it is consoling that most of them seem to find solace in vocational studies and training. It is better the go for vocational courses than to drop out completely from anything that has to do with formal education. Developing great interest in vocational studies can make a youth develop late interest in going back to school for real formal education. Whatever one has learnt in terms of practicals can later be studied theoretically and such will make for a complete educated person.
After further reflection on your post here, I came to realize that vocational courses as we have them in vocational school can really be another option for some people in Grenada who possible may not have an opportunity to have access to School for real formal education. In life, It is always good to have another option.