NAPS Principal: Embrace non-traditional areas of study

YVONNE WEBB

Principal of the prestigious Naparima Girls’s High School Carolyn Bally-Gosine, on Wednesday, advised parents of graduating students to look beyond careers in law, medicine and engineering for their daughters.

Such professions are saturated, she said, and as result, children must be supported and embrace the the non-traditional areas of study.

The occasion was the school’s annual speech day held at the Susamachar Presbyterian Church, Coffee Street, San Fernando, where Bally-Gosine spoke to students and their parents. Among those attending were Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi, Minister in the Ministry of Education Dr Lovell Francis, San Fernando Mayor Junia Regrello and Zalayhar Hassanali, wife of former president Noor Hassanali.

Bally-Gosine said, “We are committed to the development of well-rounded individuals and would like our parents to support their daughters when they express a desire to pursue a career outside of the traditional areas of medicine, law and engineering. If your daughter wants to pursue a career in languages, business, sport, visual and performing arts, please support her choice.”

Moderator of the Presbyterian Church Reverend Annabelle Lalla-Ramkelawan said, for the past 150 years the church had been providing education par excellence for all through its 72 primary and five secondary schools. To the extent, she added, that secondary schools – St Augustine High, Hillview College, Iere High and Naparima Girls and Naparima Boys Colleges –had set the pace for other schools to emulate. She then presented the school’s principal with a new logo which incorporated more traditional and indigenous symbols.

Regrello impressed upon the young graduates that they were indeed lucky for they were embarking on careers because of the sacrifices made by their parents and grandparents. He recalled having to walk to school from Vistabella to Harris Street, San Fernando, because his parents did not have a vehicle to transport him. However, the mayor said the journey made him explore different areas of the city which has made him the person he has become.

Al-Rawi also encouraged the girls to persevere, telling a story of poor grades he would have received when he switched from what he wanted to do, to another field of study. However, he said he persevered and, in the end, was able to achieve passing grades.

Francis said even though he attended St Stephen’s College, it was Naparima Girls’s High School which shaped his life. He told the story of his mother who passed an exhibition exam in the 1960’s to attend Naparima Girls but never got that opportunity or one to go to any other secondary school because in those days one had to pay.

“Instead of being bitter about not being able to pursue an education, she used it as a springboard to ensure that her three sons were not denied that opportunity,” Francis said.

He urged the graduates to understand the significance of the education they were receiving, saying it was by no means free but tremendously costly.