Congratulations, Class Of 2011!

What Does Graduation Mean to You?

By Joe Kingsley Eyiah, OCT, Toronto-Canada

“I asked one of my students who was graduating this year what graduation meant to her and she simply answered, ‘Growth! I am growing!’ I couldn’t agree with her the more.”

As an educationist, I begin this brief write-up by congratulating class of 2011, especially, both young and old students of our community who have graduated from their school programs this year. CONGRATULATIONS!

Graduation is a benchmark of student achievement, and therefore it is NOT wrong to celebrate such success in grand style at every ‘growth’ on the educational ladder! June and July every year see most graduation ceremonies in Canada and elsewhere.

Others refer to graduation as ‘the action of receiving or conferring an academic degree or the ceremony that is sometimes associated, where students become Graduates. Before the graduation, candidates are referred to as Graduands.’ Graduation ceremonies usually include a procession of the academic staff and candidates.

In the United States, besides "commencement," the term "graduation" is also used in schools below university level such as the high school, middle school and even kindergarten and preschool ceremonies.

In Japan, graduation ceremonies are in March followed by entrance ceremonies in April. This coincides with the Japanese school calendar and the Japanese government fiscal year. Graduation is also related to the changing of the seasons and is often reflected in the ceremony decor and related advertising (i.e. new uniforms, backpacks, school supplies...).

In our motherland, Ghana, less or no attention is given to graduation ceremonies until one reaches the tertiary level of education. Thus, here, graduation often marks the beginning of new challenges of life. The graduate is prepared for the world and must apply his learning experiences to make his/her dreams come true!

Whatever understanding you have for graduation, graduation ceremonies officially mark the ‘growth’ that a student attains at different levels of his/her education journey; and as we have rightly admonished in our (Ghanaian News) editorial this month, graduates from one level (specially High School) to higher level (such as College or University) should not be complacent of their ‘growth’ and rest on their oars as they journey on! Graduation is a ‘growth’ that comes with responsibility.

Once again, I take this opportunity to congratulate all graduates of 2011. May the Good God be your guide as you move on.