The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREEPORT – Twenty young persons will be given a second chance to earn a high school diploma through the newly launched Urban Renewal/Terreve College GED programme in Grand Bahama.

Prime Minister Perry Christie attended the official launch of the pilot programme on Monday evening at the Grand Bahama Yacht Club.

Eighteen young men and two young women are enrolled in the programme.
In an inspiring address, the nation’s chief executive told them that he too was given a second chance after being expelled from Government High School.

“Because I am who I am, I believe in the redemptive power of second chances,” said Prime Minister Perry Christie, who was put out of school at aged 14 because he was told he could not learn.

Speaking from his heart, he said: “I want each of you to listen to me. I went home and saw my father and mother with tears in their eyes, ashamed because in the Bahamas they had seen their oldest child expelled from school because he was dumb.”

He said he felt embarrassed after returning to the school he had started.

“I remember walking in the assembly where the children were saying ‘oh, he got put out of school.’ I could never forget the shame and disgrace (of that day).”

The Prime Minster said his parents were very disappointed in him, but he was determined not to give up.

Although both his parents died before they could see him become Prime Minister, he said they lived to see him succeed as a lawyer and as an elected Member of Parliament.

“Look at this boy who was considered a failure, who had to start over three years after the people he went to school with – he became a member of parliament in 1977.”

Mr Christie said he ran against Sir Orville Turnquest, one of the great barristers of the country who heads the Diocesan Council in the Anglican Church, and won.

“I have won for eight consecutive elections ever since – that is not giving up,” he said.

“Because I am who I am, I believe in the redemptive power of second chance. And there are thousands of Bahamians who did not have the opportunity…, but who are brilliant. And our job is to be able to inspire them to get off the ground if they have been knocked down.”

Mr Christie said the test is not how many times you get knocked down, the test is how many times you get back up.

Last year, 23 of the 60 male students at the Eight Mile Rock High School did not meet the grade requirement to graduate.

It was after learning this that Urban Renewal deputy director Michelle Reckley formed a partnership with Terreve College to implement a GED programme.

Classes started on Tuesday. The programme lasts for 12 months. Participants will enroll in such subjects as Bahamian History I and Il, Biology I and II, Math I and II, English I and II. Computer Studies I and II and Life Management Skills.

Minister for Grand Bahama Dr Michael Darville commended the 20 students for enrolling in the Urban Renewal GED programme.

He said there has been an increase in the numbers of young men and women who do not have a high school diploma.

Dr Darville noted that the diplomas obtained through the programme would be accepted in the private sector.
He said Terreve College is a locally certified tertiary institution. On successful completion of the programme, he said persons could have the opportunity to sit the Scholastic Aptitude test and travel abroad for further tertiary education. 
Minster Darville said the UR GED programme is a demonstration of government’s commitment of investing in the training and education of the youth and putting Bahamians first.