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Climbing the ladder of education

Adult students graduate from three programs in Rankin Inlet

Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Apr 09/03) - Thirty adult students received their diplomas during a ceremony at the Rankin Inlet Community Learning Centre this past month.

Three programs -- adult basic education (upgrading), Strong Women Make Strong Families and pre-trades -- each graduated 10 students.

Adult educator Gerry Pflueger says upgrading is a long haul for adult students.

She says some come in the door with only a Grade 6 education and have a long way to go to obtain their Grade 12.

"Adult upgrading is our main core program and is an ongoing endeavour for many, many students who gain a grade or two every year," says Pflueger.

"It takes a great deal of determination to start with a Grade 6 education and work your way to a Grade 12 equivalency.

"These students deserve a lot of credit for their work."

This marked the first year the learning centre offered the Strong Women Make Strong Families program.

Pflueger says course participants have a number of needs because they all have children under the age of six.

"That's a prerequisite to the program because we want to reach the young mothers in the community so we can get a jump on early childhood with them.

"If you can improve the level of the mother's education, experience and self-esteem, things will definitely improve for the children."

Pflueger says while returning to school can be a challenging time for young mothers, it's also a key time in their children's development.

"Some mothers who come have problems reading.

"One of the things we focus on with those students is learning to read children's books so they can read to their children.

"That alone can have a huge impact on their children and their success in school."

Pflueger says funding became available after Christmas for the pre-trades program, only affording students about nine weeks of instruction.

She says former pre-trades students, who were not able to pass their territorial exam, were encouraged to return and use this year's program as a refresher course.

"That approach worked well for us.

"Almost every student improved.

"We had a number pass the exam, and a couple more who fell just short by a couple of points in one area. They're allowed to rewrite that section of the exam, so we could end up with a very good pass record."