Principal of the Barbados Community College (BCC), Dr. Ian Austin.
MORE EFFORT NEEDED
Mon, 10/31/2016 - 12:00am
No real effort is being taken to tackle the low numbers of males pursuing tertiary level education.
This was the opinion shared by Principal of the Barbados Community College (BCC), Dr. Ian Austin, as he noted that the gender imbalance issue continues even though repeatedly brought up in various forums.
Using the numbers of the 2016 class as an example during the recent 43rd Graduating ceremony, he noted that 12 males had received Bachelor Degrees compared to 39 females, 216 males attained Associate Degrees in comparison to 489 females, 67 males received certificates, while 122 females did the same and four males gained diplomas along with 25 females.
“This constitutes a 70 per cent females to 30 per cent males graduating. This percentage remained unchanged from last year,” he said.
Pointing to first-year enrolment patterns between 2014 and this year, Austin revealed between 67 and 70 per cent are new female students, stating that the imbalance must be addressed.
“It is my view that if intentional action is not taken to correct this situation, it will simply persist or worsen. The College is in the process of amalgamating some of its programme areas. One such amalgamation is Continuing Education and the Industry Services Unit ISU. It is proposed that the new entity be called the Centre for Continuing Education, Workforce Development and Community Relations. It is intended that the Community Relations arm of the entity will be the vehicle through which the College will initiate responses and actions to issues such as gender imbalances,” he noted.
Congratulating the 974 graduates, he said their decision to pursue such certification would go a long way in determining their occupational successes and the quality of life they enjoy as a result of attending college.