Ision Fraser receiving the Arawak Challenge Trophy for Excellent Sporting Skills from Erwin Jones, Marketing Officer at Arawak Cement Company Ltd.
Some 27 students of Daryll Jordan secondary school were rewarded on Thursday for making the Principal’s Honour Roll.
According to Principal, Stephen Jackman, this is a reflection of the gradual improvement that has been seen in academic performance across the first to fourth forms.
“For example, in English language, 80% of the students taking examinations in first form scored 50% or more in internal examinations; the figure for mathematics was 74%, Social Studies 67% and Integrated Science 43%. English has been able to keep this pass rate above 50% for the Second, Third and Fourth forms. Integrated Science has been consistent in the 40s across the four-year groups. It is hoped that the efforts at remediation in the junior school along with the gradual implementation of the CCSLC programme will lead to continued improvement internally,” he stated.
“The concentration on these core subjects is in keeping with the national emphasis for education in Barbados, indeed the recently published Public Service Qualification Order indicates that these core subjects are important for employment in some areas of the Public Service. This Order also recognises the Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence CCSLC as an entry level qualification for parts of the Civil Service,” he observed.
The Principal, who was at the time delivering the School's Report at the annual Awards and Prize Giving Ceremony “Build Character, Embrace your Destiny,” also revealed that 89 students (27 males and 62 females) wrote the May/June 2016, Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations. He said that with a combined total of 267 subject entries, there were 108 results between Grades 1 and 3, giving a pass rate of 43%.
Visual Arts and Physical Education and Sport were the subject areas which received 100% passes, as well as Electronic Data Preparation and Management and Principles of Business.
“This was achieved with smaller numbers, but it is noteworthy given that business subjects are reading intense areas. This would suggest that in the business area the emphasis on reading in the junior school has made a difference,” he said.
Jackman also reported that the school’s administration is concerned that 32% of subject entries received Grade 4s, stressing, “These students were extremely close to passing the examination and the school will continue to
investigate methodologies to assist these students convert these near misses into actual passes.”
The Principal’s Award for very good results in CXC – seven passes – went to Zarie Scantlebury. Mary Fraser received the Chairman’s Award; and the recipient for the Arawak Challenge Trophy for Excellent Sport Skills was Ision Fraser.
(TL)