The Carnegie School of Home Economics on Monday welcomed a batch of 75 teenaged mothers into a programme that was specifically designed to reintegrate them into society where they can learn a valuable skill.
Teenage mothers who will be embarking on classes at the Carnegie School of Home Economics
Through partnership with the Education Ministry, this is the fourth programme to target teenagers who were unable to complete their secondary education because of pregnancy.
District Education Officer Sherwin Blackman noted during the orientation that every individual was entitled to a chance to be educated. While acknowledging the setbacks facing the girls, he encouraged them to be self-empowered and take every opportunity that is offered.
He said to the students, “I hope that as you recognise what lies inside of you, you will come to the realisation that one of the strongest things that you need is self-empowerment, which means you have to be prepared to push yourselves to the extent that you can achieve basically anything that you set yourselves out to achieve.”
Meanwhile, Carnegie Principal Myrna Lee said a special programme was customised to meet the needs of each individual. She shared that a less-educated population would present a challenge for future generations. The institution will be offering fabric decoration, cookery, and cake decoration courses.
Coordinator at the Ministry, Colleen King-Cameron spoke on behalf of Minister Nicolette Henry, noting that these teenage mothers would qualify themselves for the job market.
Some of the girls who will be embarking on the programme expressed enthusiasm to learn something new, and hopefully gain employment in one of the fields.
In July, some 80 girls graduated from the institution after completing a course in cosmetology, garment making, craft or catering. This initiative was undertaken through collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
At that time, Education Specialist Audrey Rodrigues reminded of the high rate of teenage pregnancy recorded in Guyana which has been a growing trend for several years. There have been cases where the pregnant girls are below the age of 12.
“There are some girls who are as young as 10 and 11 years old who are becoming a trend… The adolescent who is pregnant or an adolescent mother is entitled to having the support necessary of self-development,” Rodrigues had noted.
