Congratulations to GHS on Centenary

06.MAY.11

The year-long programme of activities organised by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Girls’ High School (GHS), the country’s second oldest secondary educational institution, reaches a grand climax this weekend. Organisers of the activities, past and present students of the school, can, in spite of their obvious fatigue and relief that all the hard work is coming to an end, spare time for a pat on the back and to enjoy that feeling which comes from knowing that one’s work has been well done.{{more}}

The activities have been varied in nature, with some, like the popular lecture series, enjoying a particularly high profile. The level of participation, especially by past students today scattered all over the globe, has been exemplary and has embraced the full range of ages from new entrants into the school to those who passed through the school doors half a century and more ago. The generosity of many of the past students, both in material as well as in women hours, speaks volumes for their continued commitment to their alma mater. Significantly, the GHS past students, in the true spirit of professionalism, have not allowed political partisanship to spoil their celebrations or to impair their collective commitment to the cause.

There have been some criticisms, as always seems to be the case, of a smattering of elitism in the organisation of the activities. If one understands the history of schools like the GHS and its male counterpart, the Grammar School, one would know that they were set up to be elitist and it is to the credit of those organisers, governments and individuals over the years that much of this elitist image has been eroded. Perhaps some more emphasis could have been placed on organising some high-profile activities in rural areas and the Grenadines and not just keep the Kingstown bias.

All in all though, it must have been no easy task to keep the flame burning over the course of a whole year. In so doing, the GHS has put its neighbour, the St. Vincent Grammar School, to shame. That institution observed its centenary three years ago, but was unable to make any real impact on the society. This, in spite of an impressive array of past students at leadership levels in all areas of the society.

What then for the new century? Some of the lecturers raised pertinent issues about the rapidly changing nature of society and education in this century. If the GHS is to remain one of our premier institutions, it must be in the forefront of evolutionary and revolutionary changes in education and in moulding future leaders. It needs to be honest and address its past and present, specifically the degree to which it must make conscious efforts to address perceptions, real or imagined, of social elitism. True, the school is based in Kingstown, but by far, the vast majority of its students come from the rural areas. Is there any conscious recognition of this, and clear attempts to understand the challenges faced by rural and Grenadine students, for example?

The issue of a clear Vincentian and Caribbean identity is another challenge to be faced, as is the role of the GHS in helping to chart a course of progressive change and development in our society. It is too important an institution not to do this and must use its considerable influence and experience for the social good.

In conclusion, SEARCHLIGHT heartily congratulates the GHS on its achievement; and the staff, students, past students and all who contributed to the centenary activities for their efforts.