January 8, 1999
(Education)

Nine school groups receive funding under Intra-Provincial Exchange Program

"School students from nine rural communities in the province will get an opportunity to travel to St. John's and Grand Falls-Windsor in the new year, to tour post-secondary institutions and experience the lifestyle of an urban centre, compliments of the Intra-Provincial Exchange Program," said Judy Foote, Minister of Education.

"Thirteen students from Lake Melville School in Northwest River will travel to Grand Falls-Windsor as part of their enterprise education class," said Minister Foote. "They will tour the Abitibi Price Mill and travel to Bay D'Espoir to tour the acquaculture facilities there." Other schools approved under the program, who will come to St. John's, include: All Saints All Grade School in Grey River; St. Peter's All Grade in McCallum; Point Leamington Academy, Point Leamington; Leo Burke Academy in Bishop's Falls; St. Lawrence Central High, St. Lawrence; E.J. Pratt, Brownsdale, and Holy Trinity Schools in Heart's Content; Lumsden School Complex, Lumsden; and Sacred Heart School in Conche.

"The Intra-Provincial Exchange Program is designed to help young people make more informed decisions about their future," said Minister Foote. "By providing funding for youth in rural areas to visit urban centres and see firsthand the educational facilities and career opportunities available, we hope to make the transition from high school to post-secondary and the challenge of leaving home a little less intimidating."

Students will not only visit the university, public and private colleges, but businesses as well. They will get to meet people who have gained employment because of their particular skills. This will give them an idea of the types of employment available if you possess the necessary skills.

"Graduating students face many career decisions, we hope through this program to make the decision as to which post-secondary institute to attend a little easier," said Minister Foote. "As well, coming to a city, when you grew up in a small community, can be a little overwhelming, we hope this familiarization tour will ease the transition."

The program also reaches out to youth who may have dropped out of school or have graduated but have yet to enter a post-secondary institution.

The students will be traveling before March 31, 1999.

Media contact: Nancy Healey, (709) 729-0048.

1999 01 08                                     10:30 a.m.