REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE OPENING OF THE DROP IN GUIDANCE CENTRE FOR KILDARE VEC
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE OPENING OF THE DROP IN GUIDANCE CENTRE FOR KILDARE VEC IN NEWBRIDGE
Ta áthas an domhain orm agus ar Mairtín, bheith anseo libh inniu.
Both Martin and I are delighted to have this opportunity to be here with you in Newbridge today to open this Adult Educational Guidance Drop-in Centre. My thanks to you all for the very warm welcome.
Returning to education as an adult requires courage and a willingness to make sacrifices in the short term in order to find fulfilment in the future. Those of you who have been brave enough to attempt this journey know only too well the need for all the encouragement, backup and support possible to help attain the goals you set yourself. The value of the helping hand or uncritical ear when there’s a problem encountered should never be underestimated – we all encounter difficulties and self-doubts in our lives and these can prove debilitating if we cannot see past them. And there are few situations in which we experience self-doubt more than when we come to face tests of our competence, our abilities and skills, (don’t we all remember examinations - how we loved and looked forward to them so much) – so I’m sure you’ll agree that there is much more to making second chance and indeed all education a realistic and viable opportunity for people than providing courses and certification.
Those of you involved in the running of this project have an important role to play in empowering adult students, ensuring they are best equipped with the information and support and guidance they will need to meet whatever challenges will present themselves. Without these services many might fall at the first or second hurdles – wasted opportunity. This counselling and educational guidance service has its own unique character adopting a truly supportive and holistic methodology to help the students participating in VTOS and adult and community education courses.
Your Counselling Project recognises that the building of self-esteem and confidence is crucial to enabling people to move up the educational ladder. And just as many of our talents are hidden to others, so too they are often hidden to us as well. It is only through education that we learn to access those talents, to realise our true potential.
The services here will also help to improve access to employment for disadvantaged groups, as well as promoting inclusiveness in the broader structures of our society. I was impressed to see that the Adult Education Service in Kildare works with local Traveller groups, prisoners and also provides tuition for Mentally Handicapped students in Moore Abbey, and for young offenders at the Athy Alternative Project.
I wish to congratulate you on what you have done to encourage and offer real support, guidance and assistance to so many people in this county who return to education to broaden and improve their lives. It is because of what you do, your invaluable work to bring the great gift of education into the lives of people, that many will experience the liberation and empowerment that it alone can really bring.
I would like to thank Kildare VEC, the Local Management here in Newbridge, the Project Staff and everybody involved in making this Drop-in Centre a reality. In particular, I would like to thank Noel Dalton for inviting me to share in the celebration today.
I think I will leave the final words with one of your former students who said:
‘you took me in
patched me up
and gave me the confidence to be who I am’
There can be no greater accolade than that.
Go maire sibh. Go raibh maith agaibh.