Students of Grantley Adams encouraged to value education

Declaring that he only learnt the true value of education after leaving school, featured speaker at the Grantley Adams Memorial School’s Founders Day Service, Pastor Dave Leacock, pleaded with students present, not to make the same mistake he did.

Leacock, who sits on the Board of Management of the school and is also a past student, spoke openly with students during the service, held to celebrate the school’s 62 years of existence.

“When I left school, I really didn’t know or I didn’t understand what I was doing at secondary school. I didn’t understand what this thing about education was and why you had to be here. I learnt the importance of education, after my secondary schooling. However being an industrious young man, I had to pay for my education at the Barbados O’Level Institute,” Leacock told the students.

“I have a degree and I an educated, because someone told me after school, that education was important. I don’t want you to make that mistake. Fifth formers, fourth formers. Education is important. Don’t ever make that mistake!” he urged.

Leacock further added, “There is a song that a calypsonian sings… I think it is a Trinidadian. He says, ‘there is no place in this world for an uneducated young boy or girl. There is no place for you.’”

“The Ministry requires paperwork for everything. The private sector requires paperwork for everything. You are here for five years; collect something for being here, collect it from the teachers, collect it from the books. I am going to tell you a secret. It is all hidden in textbooks and in your teachers; the knowledge, the excellence, the mentorship that you need. What you need is right here and the teachers here are willing to give it.” the pastor stressed.

He meanwhile urged those students currently experiences challenges and struggles, not only at the academic level but in other spheres of life, to seek out teachers with an attentive ear, so that they can obtain some assistance with their problems and make the best of the time spent at school. (RSM)