GED tests are a group of five subject tests – English reading, English writing, science, social studies, and mathematics – which when passed certifies that the taker of the tests has American high-school level academic skills.
According to Siles Ngiraremiang, coordinator of the Palau Ministry of Education’s (MOE) Adult Education Program, which recruits and prepares eligible persons to take the GED, there is a misconception about GED as the “ticket for high school drop outs or those who can’t read or write.”“There are number of reasons why there are people in Palau who did not or could not have finished high school,” Ngiraremiang said. “Many elect to leave high school early because schooling becomes boring, the required high school courses become too tough for them, or that they experience personal problems that eventually would necessitate leaving school early.”In addition, he said that everything from financial difficulties, inadequate housing, lack of transportation – especially for students from Babeldaob and the outlying states – over crowding, and even cultural obligations could be factored as some of the reasons why people do not finish high school.“The people who enroll in the adult education program are not slow or lazy,” he said. “In fact, many of them have struggled all throughout their lives to make ends meet; and they have worked very hard in order to pass GED.”Myja Franz, Lynette Franz, and Journey Teruzi were among 18 Ngeremlengui residents who took pre-GED tests in school year 2005-2006 in effort to be able to attain a high school equivalency diploma. The pre tests, according Ngiraremiang, indicated that the 18 residents were not proficient enough to pass the actual GED and thus were encouraged to enroll in the adult education program.12 of the 18 residents enrolled in the adult education program in 2006. Myja Franz, Lynnete Franz, and Journey Teruzi were the only residents who conscientiously and laboriously covered all the course requirements of the program and consequently, successfully passed the GED tests.Both of the Franz and Teruzi graduated from the adult education program last Thursday received their high equivalency diplomas.Moreover, Ngiraremiang said that the three graduates plan to pursue higher education in the near future and hope to acquire college degrees within the next few years.Ngiraremiang further added that the MOE Adult Education Program works with the various state governments to establish venues through which interested and eligible individuals can enroll in classes to be able to take and pass the GED.“GED is an opportunity for people to enhance their lives,” he said, “and I encourage those who did not finish high school to give it a try.”
