Education Minister presents GED award

Education Minister Judy Foote announced today that Larry Peyton of Gander is a recipient of the 2001 National Award for Outstanding Achievement in the General Educational Development (GED) testing program.. Minister Foote presented Mr. Peyton with his award along with $1,000 from the Department of Education during a ceremony at Gander Collegiate today.

Mr. Peyton received the highest score in the GED tests out of approximately 400 candidates in Newfoundland and Labrador who wrote the test and was named provincial winner by the General Educational Development Testing Service and the Department of Education.

"I offer my sincere congratulations to Mr. Peyton for this outstanding achievement," said Minister Foote. "He is only one of 75 people to be recognized in this way throughout Canada and the United States. His success is a testament to his hard work and dedication, and is a clear demonstration of the importance and value of a high school diploma. I am pleased to join with his family and friends in celebrating this accomplishment."

Close to one million adults take the GED tests each year throughout Canada and the United States. A student must pass a series of five tests in writing skills, social studies, science, mathematics and literature. The tests measure the general knowledge, ideas and thinking skills that are normally gained through three years of high school but which are acquired in a different manner. Since 1974, more than 16,000 Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have received their high school credentials through GED testing.

"Life-long learning is not a simple catch phrase," said Minister Foote. "There is no end to the need for education. Mr. Peyton�s success shows every Newfoundlander and Labradorian that there is always time to learn to read, to update your skills and earn your high school diploma."

Media contact: Carmel Turpin, Communications, (709) 729-0048

2003 02 14                                        11:25 a.m.