Adult Learners Graduate in Yarmouth and Digby

At age 16, Jennifer Barr quit high school for a job that paid $5.75 an hour. She thought she could live on that forever. Today she wants to work in the health-care field, but the first step was to return to Digby Adult High School to get her high-school diploma for adults.

"I always wanted to return to school and at least complete my high-school diploma. It's not that simple to go back though, after you've left. Real world commitments such as bills and debts and full time work made it seem impossible," said Ms. Barr. "I never want to work for minimum wage. I want to tell every single kid that will listen -- stay in school, you never know what you'll want to be when you're 25."

Ms. Barr is one of nine students graduating today, June 24, and Saturday, June 25, with their high-school diploma for adults. The graduates have completed programs offered by the Tri-County Regional School Board's Yarmouth and Digby adult high schools, supported by the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning.

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

More than 450 Nova Scotians are graduating this month with the high school diploma for adults. About 4,800 Nova Scotians are enrolled in programs supported by the School for Adult Learning at more than 170 sites across the province.

"The level of commitment and dedication demonstrated by all the adult students deserves great recognition," said Cathy Breen, co-ordinator, Yarmouth Adult High School. "We extend well-deserved congratulations to all graduates, who have reached a very important defining moment in their lives. We wish all of them great success in their future endeavours."

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.