There are approximately 160 ABE students in La Ronge. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

Adult Education

ABE at Northlands College experiencing exponential growth

Oct 4, 2019 | 1:54 PM

The Adult Basic Education (ABE) program at Northlands College has grown exponentially over the last six years.

That’s according to CEO and President Guy Penney, who said administration is proud of the growth in the program. He said there are approximately 160 students studying at the Canoe Building in La Ronge with nearly another 100 students at other campuses in northern Saskatchewan. There are eight teachers employed with ABE and they teach classes at Pre-10, Adult 10 and Adult 12 levels.

“Our graduation level and the Adult 12 level is increasing every year, but we also have a very high percentage of students who upon graduating from Adult 12 are staying on with us in some capacity at a post-secondary level,” Penney said.

Penney also stated when new prospective students join ABE, staff will do some initial testing to gain a sense of which program they should start in. He noted the placement depends on what students “bring to the table” meaning some could start further ahead than others.

Overall, ABE is designed to provide an opportunity for students to finish Grade 12 in the most expedient way and assist them in getting the courses they’ll need for post-secondary. Back in May, 37 students from across northern Saskatchewan helped celebrate Northlands College’s largest graduating class to date.

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“It’s very important in the sense there are students who sometimes the regular school system hasn’t been the successful endeavour they wanted it to be and, for various reasons, sometimes life just happens and sometimes things have to be put on hold,” Penney said. “We’re here to help those students to particularly come and get their Grade 12 and achieve some of the goals the set for themselves.”

Students are involved in a number of hands on activities. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

The Northlands College Canoe Building in La Ronge. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

Penney mentioned if anyone is interested in joining the ABE program for the next intake, they should contact Northlands College to do so.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno