Adult Learners Graduate In Southwest Nova Scotia

Linda Witherall's life-long dream of becoming a nurse is one step closer to becoming a reality. Today, June 25, the Queen's County resident is graduating with a high school diploma and she has her sites set on becoming a registered nurse.

"Without the kind consideration of the teachers who accommodated my work schedule, I would never have been able to complete my courses," said Linda. "I am looking forward to graduating, and in the not too distant future, to becoming an RN."

Linda is one of 89 adult learners from four adult high schools in the Southwest Regional School Board area who are graduating today and on June 26 with a high school diploma. Of these graduates, 66 have completed programs supported by the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning.

The adult high schools are supported by the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning, which funds and co-ordinates a range of education programs for adults wanting to improve their reading and math skills or complete their high school diplomas.

"Through the School for Adult Learning, Nova Scotians, like Linda, get the skills they need to succeed at home, at work and in the community," said Education Minister Jamie Muir. "The school is part of our effort to ensure people can return to learning and help pave the way to a brighter future for themselves and their families."

The School for Adult Learning is funded by the departments of Education and Community Services.

"We are flexible and try to accommodate our students to the best of our ability," said Shirley Shot, facilitator, Queens Adult High School. "By doing so, some students are able to attend school when they might not have been able to otherwise."

More than 400 Nova Scotians are graduating this month with the high school diploma for adults. This year, more than 4,100 Nova Scotians were enrolled in programs supported by the School for Adult Learning at more than 170 sites across the province. The programs for adults are delivered by the Nova Scotia Community College, Université Sainte-Anne, five regional school boards and community-based learning organizations.

The Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning is part of the provincial government's Skills Nova Scotia initiative, which involves training and skills upgrading, from basic literacy to the use of the most sophisticated technologies.