SJPI students urged to make most of opportunity

New students at the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology have been warned that criminal and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated on campus, as they begin technical and vocational training.

Principal Ian Drakes told the new intake at the institute’s annual orientation ceremony that their opportunity to pursue technical and vocational education came with responsibilities.

Around 600 students have enrolled in SJPI this year.

Some of the almost 600 students who have enrolled this year at SJPI. (Photo Credit: Shamar Blunt)

He said: “We believe as young adults, you will have some matters that you don’t need us to be part of. We will provide that adult guidance because we understand as young adults, we were there too.

“But we all understand as well that you have certain responsibilities. You have a right to education, but it comes with a responsibility. Being respectful and acquiring the knowledge that you want from my instructors is part of your responsibility.”

Drakes also warned students against bringing criminal and anti-social behaviour onto the SJPI campus.

“You have not come to idle. You can pick any tree on the 16 square miles of Barbados and lime and smoke your weed and have your guns and whatever. You come here for technical vocation education. You can do those things out there…do not bring them in here. We have zero tolerance for it.”

He encouraged students to recognise the value of the opportunity before them, noting that many others would welcome the chance to attend SJPI.

“I want you to be progressively positive in your approach to the opportunity that some of your friends out there would like to have. You have made it. It’s a pristine institution.”

He also urged students to appreciate the role institutions such as SJPI have played in Barbados’ development and to use their education to build better lives for themselves and their families.

“We want you, when empowered, to grab the bull by both horns and be able to sustain your family, because then it is you who’s going to be up here.”

Drakes cautioned the new students against blindly following negative influences and urged them to think independently. “Do not go astray. Do not have that herd mentality that there ain’t someone that can say, stop, wait, this don’t make any sense. Let it make sense because you have an excellent opportunity, and opportunities which are lost are never regained.”

(SB)