For twenty years, the Community Education and Development Programme (CEDP) has stood like a beacon for thousands of residents either seeking to upgrade their education, or simply have fun learning something new and different. Many have used its classes as a stepping stone to good careers and economic success, while others have simply sought to improve their current skills.

With centres in the middle and at both ends of the Island, and very reasonable fees, it is no wonder that more than 50,000 students of all ages have passed through the CEDP classrooms since 1980, and over 70 percent of its enrolment is repeat business.

Indeed, the numbers continue to grow at such a rate that executive officer and team leader Patricia Chapman is constantly scrambling to find new venues to keep pace with demand.

"The sky's the limit,'' she exclaims when referring to the optimum number of courses the programme will offer.

The fact that, come September, 31 new courses are being added to the previous list bears this out. Because of this, Warwick Academy will be used for the first time to take the overflow from the Spice Valley venue, which is now operating at full capacity.

Defining the CEDP's mission as "assisting in the development of courses, workshops, seminars, programmes, schools and business partnerships, maximising the utilisation of all resources -- human, physical, financial and material'', Mrs. Chapman says: "Our product links community needs and resources in a manner that helps people to help themselves to raise their quality of life.'' Now celebrating its twentieth anniversary, the CEDP has come a long way from the tentative pilot project launched in Warwick in 1980, whose genesis was in the Pitt Commission report.

"Following that report, a group of representatives was sent to Flint, Michigan, to find out about community education, and why people felt so alienated from society,'' the executive officer explains. "In 1980 there was a Cabinet paper, as a result of which the pilot project was launched. Such was its success that in 1981 it became a permanent programme run by the CEDP under the aegis of the Ministry of Development and Opportunity.'' Recently, a new team has been appointed to lead the charge into the 21st century. Headed by executive officer and team leader Mrs. Chapman, its other members are: liaison officer Deanna Smith and coordinators Nan Godet (Hamilton), Eugene Vickers (Warwick), Milton Pringle (Sandys) and Sonia Waldron (St. George's).

At the CEDP's Middle Road, Warwick headquarters, Mrs. Chapman has nine staff to help with the mountain of behind-the-scenes work. Declaring that she loves her job so much that she "could work seven days a week'', the executive officer also pays tribute to those who assist her.

"I have a very strong, committed team,'' she says. "They support me dearly, and with all the new initiatives coming up I could never do it without them.'' Over the years, more and more courses and workshops of all sorts -- from self-improvement to sports, cuisine, languages, landscaping, art and academics, to name a few -- have lured learners of all ages and from all walks of life back to the classroom in their quest for self-improvement and knowledge.

CEDP surveys also reveal that other reasons for learners signing up include: "Fun, fellowship, participation and involvement in a non-threatening and informal environment; self-esteem; a sense of belonging and self-worth; family/friend togetherness and adventures in learning''.

Naturally, with so many CEDP courses on offer around the Island, it is no mean feat lining up instructors to lead them. While some have been teaching for years, others are constantly being added -- or subtracted. As with any large staff, cancellations and changes in availability came come suddenly.

"It is mind-boggling to come up with instructors,'' Mrs. Chapman admits. "I have to be highly efficient, with exceptional organisational and management skills. Recruiting, interviewing and hiring staff is really a balancing act.

The last time I checked we had nearly 100 instructors.'' While most people think of CEDP as running from September to May or June, in actual fact it is a year-round operation. Throughout the summer holidays there are specialty camps, tutorials and courses for children, with mornings devoted to serious work and afternoons to fun and adventure. Other camps cater to special needs and physically challenged students.

"The instructors service their basic needs, but do not provide highly specialised attention. We are not there to baby-sit,'' Mrs. Chapman stresses.

There are also special programmes for seniors, with whom the computer courses are especially popular.

Because the CEDP is dedicated to providing as broad a community service as possible, its outreach programme coordinates with other agencies and forms partnerships with churches, rest and foster homes, to ensure that those who want to learn but cannot afford the low fees are sponsored or otherwise assisted.

In conjunction with the Warwick Community Education Advisory Council the CEDP hosts forums on topics of community concern, such as drugs, violence and crime, as well as special events like Christmas and Halloween parties. The Council is comprised of volunteers who work within the community.

"We try to fill in the gaps where we think the community needs help,'' Mrs.

Chapman says of this aspect.

Just how far CEDP is prepared to go in its mission to provide quality educational opportunities at reasonable prices is perhaps highlighted by the fact that, at the Spice Valley centre, soup and sandwiches are available for learners attending classes right after work; and on-site child care facilities for children aged three and over are provided for learner-parents studying at the same facility.

To be economically viable, minimum enrolment for any class is 12, with the upward limit being at the instructor's discretion. Where the minimum is not reached during enrolment, the class is automatically cancelled, with alternative courses being suggested.

The brochure for the new CEDP year is expected to be out shortly, and Mrs.

Chapman promises that, as always, it will contain "something to suit everyone's lifestyle''.

"It's never too late to learn,'' she assures.

For further information on Community Education and Development Programme courses, please telephone 236-0829 or fax 236-1980.