It is with a heavy heart that we, the students of the Venezuelan Institute for Culture and Co-operation (IVCC) at San Fernando, write to express our disenchantment over the abrupt closure of both the adult language and cuatro classes.
For over three months, we have not had any classes which were being held at the San Fernando West Secondary School, popularly known as “Old Tech” at Farah Street. We received the sad news from the Venezuelan ambassador to T&T, Coromoto Godoy-Calderon, who, via emails stated that as of Saturday, August 1, the Venezuelan embassy decided to “postpone classes until further notice” to upgrade the programme.
It has been three long months now and we are appealing to the ambassador to make good on her promise to foster bilateral relations between both nations and thus bridge the language barrier between the English and Spanish-speaking nations. What better way to do so than by resuming classes in San Fernando?
These classes have been serving the southern community though the good neighbourly gesture of Venezuelan teachers, our friendly mentors, over the last 21 years. Beneficiaries include but are not limited to, the following: primary, secondary and tertiary level students, among them scholarship winners in the fields of language and communications, teachers, members of the protective services, public servants, professionals from the business community including the energy sector, housewives and even foreigners.
We appreciate the services provided by the institute, especially from our teachers, who often go above and beyond the call of their duties to ensure each student understands 100 per cent the language and various aspects of the Venezuelan culture. Some students are so grateful for the knowledge provided that even after they graduate, they return every Saturday for classes.
At a time when the local radio stations are airing parang songs, which often incorporate the Spanish language and use of the cuatro, we are lingering in the dark about the future of our beloved and much needed classes.
Perhaps because Her Excellency has never visited the school to get a first-hand view of the family-like atmosphere, under which classes are conducted, she may not know the closure of the classes is like a blow to our heads.
Again, we appeal to the Ambassador to intervene to try to rectify the situation and resume classes. We proposed that at her earliest convenience she meets with us and/or the San Fernando–based teachers to expedite the matter.
Students of IVCC
San Fernando branch