Philipsburg:---A group of students from the MPC, the VSBO-TKL section, toured the Government Administration Building throughout the day, to get hands-on experience about what the Island Government and its apparatuses are about.
But before the tour, the students were provided with a welcoming address from Commissioner Sarah Wescot-Williams.
It is a pleasure to have you here in the conference room, where the meetings of the Executive Council take place. Here is where we deliberate on the issues that affect the island; it takes place in a private setting, compared to the Island Council meetings.
"Here is only part of what we do; Government is larger that what we see. There is not an aspect of your life that Government does not affect in one way or the other," Commissioner Wescot-Williams said, "So it is crucial you make knowing about government your business. Get informed, know the issues. The Government is proud of the youngsters who go out into the world and study, then come back to work in Government." "Government is about service to the people," the commissioner reaffirmed.
The next speaker was Joane Dovale-Meit, Island Secretary, who spoke about the organization of the Government and the many functions of her office, which supports, facilitates and advises the Island Council, the Executive council, and the Lt. Governor-Franklin Richards. Government, Dovale-Meit said, serves the people, without such a government cannot run. Especially now, it is exciting to be in government, for not every day you see a country in the making.
A recent graduate of MPC, and now a Junior Administrative worker in the Island Secretary's office, also gave an account of her experience in government.
Valeta Brown started out in the Business Outreach Placement program, a government sponsored program, along with the private sector, to provide work-study for pre- and exam students during the vacation periods in June/July.
After her exams, Valeta started working fulltime, doing such tasks as: assisting in preparing for Island and Executive Council meetings, recording of the Island and Central Government meetings, Ordering supplies, checking mail, assisting co-workers when needed, among other tasks.
She said that it is a good experience because you get insight on what is going on first hand, not just by hearing about it. It is a wonderful challenge, Valeta said.
