Adult Learners Graduate in Cape Breton

Jennifer Jean Hopkins left high school at age 17 because large groups made her nervous and she felt she didn't fit in. Nearly a decade later she returned to school to complete her high-school diploma for adults at Northside Adult Education Centre in Sydney Mines.

"I was quite shy and other students would often harass me because of the way I dressed or acted," said Ms. Hopkins. "Returning to school has made me a much better person. I now see myself as being strong, intelligent and capable of anything I put my mind to."

Jennifer is planning to pursue a career in child care or counselling. She is one of 44 adult learners from four adult high schools in the Cape Breton - Victoria Regional School Board area who are graduating today, June 21, with a high-school diploma. Of these graduates, 35 have completed programs supported by the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning.

The Adult Learning Program is sponsored by the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning, which co-ordinates a range of education programs for adults wanting to improve their reading and math skills, or complete their high school diploma.

"Through the School for Adult Learning, Nova Scotians, like Jennifer Jean, 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."

About 4,800 Nova Scotians are enrolled in programs supported by the School for Adult Learning at more than 170 sites across the province.

"We've graduated 500 adult learners over the last nine years and they've moved on to provide a worthwhile and rewarding experience for themselves and their families," said Archie MacEachern, director of programs and student services, Cape Breton - Victoria Regional School Board.

The School for Adult Learning is funded by the departments of Education and Community Services, and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.

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 workplace learning and job skills training.