Jr Minister of Education and Library Services, the Hon Livingston Herbert.

Minister Herbert, who was being televised at the Government Information Services studio on Thursday, gave a detailed comparison of both secondary schools for the past five years.  He pointed out that the Charlestown Secondary and the Gingerland Secondary Schools maintained a high level of consistency, although there was a slight decrease of 3% and 2% average points respectively, in the CSEC examinations.

The Education Minister, in expressing the administration’s appreciation to stakeholders of education, noted that the academic year 2003/2004 was another success.  “I especially recognise collectively, and thank the private sector for their contributions through the provision of scholarships, materials and financial assistance. To non-government organisations and individuals for their contribution to our children’s development and achievement, I say a very hearty thank you,” said Minister Herbert.

According to Herbert, “We must commit to increasing our support because investment in the education of our children, is investing in the future of our island.  It is my fervent hope that the success that we experienced will galvanize us towards greater achievements as we move forward in developing our island home,” Herbert concluded.

There were fifty-nine students of the Charlestown Sixth Form, who wrote the CAPE examinations.  It was observed that the average percentage pass for the 228 subject entries was 90.5%, which was an improvement of 6% over 2003

There were seven students who did exceptionally well, of whom two students namely, Renell Davis and Linton Liburd, each received 4 subject passes with Renell receiving 1distinction.  The other five students namely, Serene Antoine, Nyozi Frazier, Stevee Jones, Jerville Weekes and Phaedra Grant, each received three subject passes. 

At the Charlestown Secondary School, seventy-one students sat the CSEC examination where 349 subject entries at the General Proficiency Level and 54 subject entries at the Technical Proficiency Level.  There were 313 subject passes with Building Technology, Woodwork, Biology, Chemistry, Electronic Technology, Mathematics, Spanish and Typewriting received a 100% pass rate.  Food and Nutrition and Social Studies ranged in the 90% pass rate.

Kimala Swanston received 10 subject passes with 10 distinctions, while 8 students received 9 subject passes and obtaining some 1, 2, 3 and 6 distinctions.  There were also 8 students receiving 8 subject passes and also obtaining some 1, 2, 3 and 4 distinctions.

At the Gingerland Secondary School, 68 students sat the CSEC examination with 275 subject entries at the General Proficiency Level, 37 at the Technical Proficiency Level and 3 at the Basic Proficiency Level. There were 234 subject passes with Agricultural Science, Biology, Building Technology Construction, Chemistry, Clothing and Textile, French, Physics and Spanish all received 100% pass rate.  Food and Nutrition, Integrated Science and Office Procedures ranged in the 90% pass rate.

Danielle A Martin received 9 subject passes with 9 distinctions while Zahvelisia Claxton received 9 subject passes with 7 distinctions.  Of the 7 students who received 8 subject passes, Nanndi Bussue received 8 distinctions, while the remaining 6 students received 1, 3, 5,6 and 7 distinctions.  Kamesha Sutton received 6 subject passes with 3 distinctions and 5 students received 7 subject passes with 1, 2, and 4 distinctions.