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Presidential salute for Margaret
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A WOMAN who once thought she was too old to return to learning has been honoured by none other than the President of Ireland.
Killarney’s Margaret Scully was a special guest of President Michael D Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin, and was there to represent Kerry people who have returned to learning to address the literacy skills they missed out on first time round at school.
The event coincided with National Literacy Week and the National Adult Literacy Agency’s First Step Campaign.
Margaret has been taking classes in reading, writing, math and technology with Kerry Education and Training Board (ETB) over the last seven years. Like many people, her learning journey started when her young boys went to school and needed help with their homework.
“I would make every excuse not to help them because I had nothing to draw from. I got six years of education. I started at 6 and finished at 12. That was my education,” said Margaret.
At the start she was worried she would not be able, or that people would laugh. “I was terrified. But I thought I have to do something. In the long run you have to take that first step and do it for yourself,” she said.
Since starting literacy and adult basic education classes with Kerry ETB, not only has her literacy developed, but she has done other things with her new found confidence and skills, including taking up community roles, such as being the South Kerry Coordinator for the Team Hope Project that organises shoe boxes as presents for disadvantaged children at Christmas time.
She has also trained as a NALA Literacy Ambassador, to go out and give talks to others about her experience. “Meeting the President of Ireland representing Kerry adult learners was a great honour,” she said.
"My motto is to encourage others. It is not like going back to school. There are no teachers. No one will talk down to you. I stay away from those words– they have connotations for me. Now when you go back as an adult, it is your choice and your decision. You work with a tutor not a teacher alongside you. You are equals. They make you feel so welcome.”
Kerry ETB has eight Adult Literacy & Basic Education Centres spread around the county. Call 066-7193900 or go to www.kerryetb.ie for further information.
Above: Patron of the National Adult Literacy Agency President Michael D. Higgins congratulates Margaret Scully at a reception in Aras an Uachtarain to celebrate Literacy Awareness Week. Picture: Colm Mahady/Fennells