PM urges Graduates to help restore order to society

Mr. Golding told the graduates that they would be leaving St. George’s College to face a world that is in a state of confusion, where there is uncertainty about what is right from wrong and, who is right from who is wrong. He challenged the graduates to determine whether they would go with the flow or make up their minds to be different.

“Part of your calling is not just to be agents of change, you are going to have to say, we have to settle this world down. We have to get this thing right. You have to restore a sense of order and understanding about how society must operate,” Mr. Golding said.

He said that in fulfilling this challenge, the graduates would have to try to find a set of beliefs and a set of values in which to anchor themselves, as many times they will have to choose between being popular and being right. “It is going to be difficult and many times you will have to fall back on what you learnt at St. George’s College,” Mr. Golding said.

Mr. Golding said the graduates would also be entering a difficult world, one that is much more competitive than yesteryear and demanded knowledge-based contribution for which graduates must prepare themselves. “The world is now certified and is demanding persons with qualifications. And when we talk about qualifications we are not just talking about CXC subjects, we are talking about degrees, post high-school certification,” Mr. Golding stressed.

He said the graduates were now at a crossroads that is different from any with which they have had to contend, as they are now required to make some decisions about life. He said some will go onto college, universities and other institutions of learning while others will go into the world of work, where they will have to apply what they were taught at St. George’s College. He said whatever the choices, the students must ensure that they continue to learn.

“What I want you to know is that you haven’t finished learning yet. Indeed, you never finish because you have so much more learning to do and your learning process has just gotten into high gear,” Mr. Golding said.

He said that as leaders of tomorrow the graduates should never feel intimidated by or insecure in the world, but that they should create a space for themselves and always be ready to claim that space. “Prepare yourself to make things happen rather than allow things to happen,” Mr. Golding said. He said the graduates should not forget St. George’s College as the strength of a school is not measured by what it has done for them, but what they are able to give back.

Mr. Golding said that as they go onward on life’s journey, the graduates should carry with them the faith of their teachers, the hope of their parents and the fine tradition of St. George’s College.