This article is from page 19 of the 2012-08-21 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 19 JPG
IT WAS a day to remember for one group of adult learners, as they became the first students at the West Clare Adult Education Centre to complete the Leaving Certificate.
11 students received their results at the VEC centre in Kilrush on Wednesday.
According to Back to Education co-ordinator Michael Ryan, many of the Kilrush students intend to continue to third-level courses.
He said, “Kilrush went very well. It was the first time we had Leaving Cert results from there. It was very successful. There were six women and five men, they got some superb results, all honours marks. It was a diverse group of people. They gelled very well and great credit is due to them.”
He added, “The effort that the students put in was great. They worked from a nine-month period from October through to the end of May. Some of them came in to Ennis to study.” Adult learners in Shannon and Ennis were also celebrating Leaving Cert result last week. Mr Ryan explained, “We had 10 students in Shannon. Three are going onto third level education, three are going to do Post Leaving Cert Courses (PLCs) and two are continuing with the Back to Education Initiative (BTEI).” He added, “Ennis again had excellent results. We offered the full five subjects, if students wanted to take them all. This year we had 13 men and 17 women sitting exams. It seems to be evening out in terms of the gender balance. It used to be 2/1 in favour of women. Quite a number are going onto further education and third level.”
The Back to Education Initiative offers students the chance to study maths, English, history, business organisation and geography.
Mr Ryan said the VEC hopes to offer the Leaving Cert to students in East Clare next year.
For adults interested returning to learning or studying for a Leaving Certificate, the Back To Education Initiative are organising information evenings at the Adult Education Centre in 4 Bru Na Sionna, Shannon, on Monday, September 3, at 7.30pm and at the Adult Education Centre in Ennis on Tuesday, September 4, at 7pm; in Scariff on Wednesday, September 5, and in Kilrush on Thursday, September 6, at 7.30pm. For further information contact the BTEI office on 065 6897652.