Scholastic excellence can be achieved regardless of school – Minister of Education

“Regardless of the school you attend, you will achieve.”

This was the assertion of Minister of Education Girlyn Miguel last week Wednesday, in an address delivered at the National Awards Ceremony, which took place at the Kingstown Methodist Church Hall.{{more}}

In Miguel’s address, which was delivered by chief education officer Lou-Anne Gilchrist, it further stated: “Once you are determined, once you apply yourselves, once you continue to make use of the available opportunities, you can fulfill your maximum potential.”

The Minister congratulated the students who were present at the ceremony on their educational success, adding that it is important to recognize said success because it gives them a “profound sense of motivation,” and inspires other students to do the same.

Miguel also lauded education officers, teachers and parents/guardians for their hard work and efforts in ensuring that students achieve their full potential — stressing that a sound education prepares students for “success in the global workplace.”

In particular, Miguel said that she was pleased with the results of the newly-implemented Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA) examinations.

“I know that with the CPEA came some challenges, but, awardees, you are a testimony that these challenges were not insurmountable.”

The 2014 CPEA results were as follows:

First position, Laron Jones, of the Questelles Government School; 2nd position, Ellean Bailey, of the Windsor Primary School; a tie for 3rd position between D’Angelo Dick and Aaron Isaacs-Horne, both of the Union Methodist Primary School; 5th position, Dana McLean, of the Sugar Mill Academy; 6th position, Joshua Marks, of the Sugar Mill Academy; a tie for 7th position between Jaydel King (Barrouallie Government) and Elrias Williams Jr (Kingstown Preparatory School); and a three-way tie for 9th position with Adiah Holder (Questelles Governement), Odion Hamlet (Barrouallie Government), and Jamar Murray (Calliaqua Anglican).

Awards were also handed out to the top performers of each secondary school in the CXC Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, with the Top Female Performer being Delight Ollivierre (Mountain View Adventist Academy), gaining 14 subject passes, and Top Male Performer Richard John (St Vincent Grammar School) also gaining 14 subject passes.

Delight Ollivierre, who was unable to attend the ceremony because she is attending college in Trinidad, also won awards for being the Top Performer in Home Economics, the Top Performer at the MVAA, and the Top Performer Overall at CSEC.

Richard John also won Top Performer at the SVGS, Top Performer in the Humanities, and Top Performer in Modern Languages.

Top Performer Overall After Remediation was scooped by Yannick Bacchus (Bishop’s College Kingstown) with nine subject passes. He also was awarded the Top Male Performer (after remediation). Top Female Performer (after remediation) went to Ronika Tannis, of the Bequia Seventh Day Adventist Secondary School.

The award for the school with the most improved results went to St Martin’s Secondary School; school with the best results after remediation went to the Intermediate High School; and the Girls’ High School won the award for school with the best CSEC results overall.

Chief education officer Lou-Anne Gilchrist, in a brief address, said that the Ministry is doing its best to support students’ academic and holistic development, and urged teachers, Ministry officials and parents/guardians to continue to “work together… to keep our students in school.”

Also present was LIME country manager Leslie Jack, who said that the telecommunications company has long been a sponsor of this event and others organized by the Ministry of Education, and looks forward to continuing this relationship for the foreseeable future.

He urged students to continue to work hard, seeking only to outdo themselves. Jack also presented prizes to many of the students, which included broadband Internet packages, tablets and scholarships, among other rewards.(JSV)