This letter is directed to the board of regents and lawmakers to ask for their help to bring back the NMC academic programs to Tinian. I am a former NMC student and have heard the cries of students in Tinian who have just graduated from high school and do not have the choice to attend college classes locally. There are hardships created by not having the ability to attend college classes locally. For example, it is impossible for us who do not have enough money to support ourselves while attending NMC on Saipan. Yes there is limited financial aide e.g. scholarship, and Pell gGant, but these do not pay for: the baby sitter, books, housing, food, transportation, tutoring, supplies, medical needs etc. I believe that just about all high school students from Tinian come from low-income families and cannot afford to go to school off island. Some of us are only making enough money to pay for utilities, gas, and food to survive. I know that there are on-line courses available but a major obstacle to their use remains and that is most students cannot afford computers and Internet access fees. In addition, Internet-based training cannot replace real people who can be asked questions for clarification.
In Tinian, there are a number of government and private sector employees who need and want to upgrade and their work skills but they cannot afford to pay for the costs of an off-island education. These include travel, transportation, housing among other expenses. Also, the Office of the Personnel Management and private sectors who are hiring are now requiring education diploma and certificates.
Our islands need a well-educated and well-trained work force to be able to run its own affairs and be less dependent on outside expertise. We cannot do this if our educational system is under funded and not serving our people.
I want to share a personal experience to prove a point: I applied for service at the Vocational Rehabilitation program for my son, and when they ask him if he wants to work he said “Yes.” He asked if they can help him go to college and get training for the career he wanted. To our disappointment we found out that NMC does not offer the required courses. We were told that NMC does not have the staff and funding to provide these training courses that our people need.
As you can see, there is a real need for courses that will lead to certificates or degrees. It is also true that even in Saipan, NMC still lacks courses to support needed degrees and certification that will enable students to enter the work force meet employer needs. Our educational system is not serving these needs right now. I would like to suggest prior to adding more programs that a study be conducted to find out what types of skills/training are needed by our local employers. From these training programs can be added to serve real needs. NMC also needs to get accreditation to get the respect of universities and local employers. While the accreditation process is complex and depends on a number of things that I am not well versed in, I do know that a well educated staff and good programs figure positively into getting accreditation.
I appeal to people in power to please give our education system a higher priority. Please consider funding NMC to provide more courses for Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. We need a well-educated population to survive not only locally but also globally.
Students, to show your support please call 433 2577.
WINIFREDA MATSUMOTO
San Jose, Tinian
