The Ministry of Education’s Re-integration of Adolescent Mothers Programme held its annual graduation ceremony in Region six, East Berbice-Corentyne on Thursday, which saw 40 young mothers receiving certificates in various areas within cosmetology.
The 15 week programme is being executed through the Ministry’s Health and Family Life Education (HFLE) Unit.
Minister of Education, Dr. the Hon. Nicolette Henry said at the graduation exercise that the re-integration programme is necessary for young women to enjoy their right to an education which will provide the foundation to improve their lives and the lives of their children.
According to Minister Henry, previously when an adolescent girl became pregnant, her return to school, if considered, was often done at the discretion of the head teacher. “However, with this policy the schools are mandated to ensure that the child is reintegrated into the school system using one of the options that are available,” Minister Henry explained.
Moreover, the goal of the re-integration policy is not only to manage the reintegration of adolescent mothers into the formal school system, but it is also to advance the prevention of adolescent pregnancies.
Regional Executive Officer, Ms. Kim Stephens during her remarks encouraged the graduates to be the best that they can be and that this can only be accomplished if they put what they were taught into action.
She expressed her gratitude to the Ministry of Education and the Government of Guyana for seeing it fit to bring such an initiative to the East Berbice region, specifically in Corriverton.
Regional Education Officer, Ms. Bhagmattie Lacruz told the graduates that they are now equipped with a skill set that they can go out into the world and reduce an economic restriction adolescent pregnancy might have created.
Executive Director of Family Awareness Consciousness Togetherness (FACT), Ms. Annette Jaundoo, said that some of the graduates have already begun to operate their own establishments and offering services to the public.
