Adult Learning Centre empowering persons

Swallowfield Chapel is now home to the Adult Learning Centre (ALC), which has been providing numeracy and literacy classes for adults since 2008.

Literacy and numeracy are among the strongest predictors of individual success. Adults with low literacy skills often face social discrimination and barriers in employment, as many jobs require basic reading and writing skills. Attorneys-at-law Sanya Goffe and husband Gavin started the ALC while still students at The University of the West Indies, Mona's Faculty of Law. With the full support of Goffe's mother, Jackie Young, who serves as principal of the ALC, and a team of dedicated volunteers, adults can access mathematics and English classes at the basic and intermediate levels for free. In 2019, the Jamaica Education Transformation Commission found that more than a third of the students who sat the Primary Exit Profile were illiterate. This reality points to the need for programmes like those offered by the ALC, which support adults who fell through the cracks or were failed by the education system.

"The curriculum was specifically designed to help improve the skills of adults at different stages, so there is support for those who have no literacy and numeracy skills to those who have basic and intermediate knowledge," said Goffe.

Supported by a dedicated team that has a heart for volunteerism and who gives of their time and talent selflessly, ALC has been a roving institution that has found roots within communities with the greatest need for its services. The school was previously located at the St Margaret's Church in Liguanea, St Andrew.

"Staying close to a community has long been a strategic focus of the programme as we work with community organisations and nearby churches to offer the classes," said Goffe. She is hopeful that more community members in Swallowfield will come out to access the classes.

"Classes are offered in the evenings from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. to ensure that those who work are not at a disadvantage. There is a high level of respect shown to all students and we ensure that all students feel welcomed," shared Goffe after highlighting that some students deal with feelings of shame and embarrassment which cause a delay in joining the classes.

Students are required to pay a nominal fee of $500 per term which assists with administrative support, but no additional fees are required.