Nevis Students At Higher Education Meeting
Charlestown, Nevis
November 10, 2008
Senior Secondary School students on Nevis were urged to explore the options available to them in their pursuit of higher education. That advice came from Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Human Resources in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) Mr. Chesley Manners on November 10, at a question and answer session hosted by the Nevis Library Services at the Red Cross conference Room in Charlestown.
He said the NIA had pledged to give the necessary support, financial or otherwise to ensure that Nevisians realized their goal, a move in line with its philosophy that education was the key to the development of any nation.
Notwithstanding, Mr. Manners underscored the need for teachers and told students of the availability of scholarships in the area of Geography, Food and Nutrition, English, Mathematics, Health (Nursing, health technology, Medicine and Environmental Health), Economics, Accounting, Tourism (Hospitality) in Technical Areas (Building Technology, Technical planning, Electricity and Electronics and Automotive Technology), Music, Surveying, Engineering and Geothermal Technology.
He also noted that too many persons were involved in the field of Business but there was insufficient focus on economics.
“There is need to seek advice regarding areas of study and education institutions,” he encouraged and pointed to a number of shortcomings by prospective applicants.
“Applications are sometimes too late; some people feel that assistance means full scholarship; People are aggressive when seeking assistance but not committed to give due service to the country on completion and applicants should try to accumulate their own funds,” he said.
Mr. Manners pointed to Cuba, the Organization of American States, Taiwan, Russia, Austria, Korea and the Commonwealth which also offered scholarships but students opted to pursue studies in the United States.
He said the NIA had in place arrangements with Midwestern and Cameron Universities but the cost of studies in the US almost tripled that of the University of the West Indies.
Counselor Ms. Lornette Swanston said counselors played a critical role in student’s passage through the educational process.
“We facilitate critical decision making and access to appropriate courses and experiences to help students to address immediate and long term goals.
“College advising is especially important where parents are unable to offer first hand information on college life, selection and financial aid/ scholarships,” she said.
Other presentations came from Coordinator at the UWI Dr. Telbert Glasgow, Scolastic Aptitude Test (SAT) tutor, Ms Deborah Leluche former Midwestern University student Mr. Kevil Barrett and former University of the West Indies Mona Campus student Ms. Teba Brown.