The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) has awarded 14 top performing students sitting this year’s May/June Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE), Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence (CCSLC) external tests. 

The students, who hail from Jamaica, Grenada, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, were celebrated during CXC’s 2024 Top Awards Ceremony in St. Lucia on Thursday (December 5).  

Shanoya Morgan of St. Andrew High School for Girls, received the Menezes-Rodney Award, presented to the most outstanding candidate in CSEC History.  

Montego Bay Community College’s Noella Brown earned the CAPE award for most outstanding candidate in Humanities.  

This year’s most outstanding candidates in the CAPE and CSEC examinations, Aniyah Couchman and Dave Chowtie, respectively, hail from Queen’s College in Guyana.  

Aniyah achieved Grade One in 20 subjects and Grades Two and Three in one subject each. Dave scored Grade One in 25 subjects and Grade Two in four. 

In his address, St. Lucia’s Minister of Education, Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology and Vocational Training, Hon. Shawn Edward, commended the students on their “remarkable achievements.”  

“Your achievements stand as a testament to your hard work, discipline and unyielding commitment to excellence. You have proven that with determination, resilience and an appetite for knowledge, the highest levels of academic success are possible at your school, in your country and in the wider Caribbean region,” he said.   

Mr. Edward told the awardees that this success is not the culmination of their journey, but rather a significant milestone which should fuel their passion for greater accomplishments and accolades.  

“Let this moment serve as both a recognition of your success and a springboard for even greater achievements,” he underscored. 

Meanwhile, Mr. Edward said CXC has played a pivotal role in advancing educational excellence by being a beacon of academic rigour, innovation and cultural relevance, adding that the institution must be supported as the region prepares for the future.  

“It is our collective responsibility – parents, educators, policy makers and the Caribbean Examinations Council – to create an environment that nurtures talent, fosters innovation and ensures that every child in the Caribbean has access to quality education. Let this evening’s celebration inspire us to work together to build a region where academic excellence is not the exception, but instead the norm,” Mr. Edward stated.  

For his part, St. Lucia’s Prime Minister, Hon. Philip J. Pierre, charged the awardees to tackle critical Caribbean issues.  

“In St. Lucia and in the Caribbean, we are seeing some negative things – male underperformance, high dropout rates and the rise of gun-related crimes. This is not just one person’s problem or one country’s problem, it is everyone’s problem. We are witnessing this across the entire Caribbean region and it’s a matter that you, the brightest minds, as well as our institutions must put thought to and ask ‘what can I do to help?’” he said.  

Mr. Pierre noted that it is a struggle that politicians and Prime Ministers have to face daily, emphasising this as a matter that must be solved if the region is to sustain and grow Caribbean civilisation.  

“Whatever you pursue, remember the purpose of knowledge. It must be for the betterment of our humanity and betterment of our civilisation. Whether you choose to pursue agriculture, finance, medicine, engineering, law, whether you choose to develop artificial intelligence or produce works of art, whatever you pursue, do it with passion and do it for the greater good of all,” Prime Minister Pierre said. 

Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, says effective leadership at any level is critical in deciding success or failure within an organisation.

Senator Morris Dixon, during a recent visit to the Green Island High School in Hanover, as part of a tour of schools in Region Four, which includes the parishes of St. James, Hanover, and Westmoreland, underscored the invaluable role of effective leadership in shaping the educational landscape.

“Leadership is critical to the overall success of an institution,” the Minister said, highlighting the impressive progress made at Green Island High.

“With strong leadership and a dedication to innovation, Green Island High School serves as a shining example of what is possible when a community comes together to support its youth,” the Minister added.

She praised the collaborative efforts of the principal, teachers, and the school Board, noting that their unified vision is evident in the school’s achievements.

The Minister pointed to Green Island’s impressive achievements in the performing arts, expressing her delight at the school’s dedication to this area.

She argued that the arts play an essential role in fostering creativity and self-expression among students.

Senator Morris Dixon also noted that the performing arts not only enhance students’ educational experiences but equip them with valuable skills that can be leveraged in various career paths.

Minister Morris Dixon also highlighted the importance of technology in education, pointing out that the future of Jamaica’s students hinges on their ability to embrace innovative tools and methods.

“Technology is the future, and our students need to be equipped with the skills that will make them competitive in a global marketplace,” she emphasised.

The Minister praised Green Island High for its forward-thinking initiatives, which she believes are crucial for preparing students for the demands of the 21st century.

“It is clear that the teachers at Green Island High are dedicated to their students’ success. Their commitment to fostering a love for learning is evident in the positive interactions I witnessed today,” she added.

The Minister noted that her visit to the region comes at a time when the Jamaican education system is undergoing significant changes, with a renewed focus on improving outcomes for all students.

She said that by showcasing successful models like Green Island High School, she hopes to inspire other institutions to adopt similar approaches that prioritise leadership, innovation and collaboration.

“We must continue to invest in our schools and our teachers, as they are the backbone of our education system. Together, we can build a brighter future for our children,” Senator Morris Dixon added.

Students at José Martí Technical High School in St. Catherine are now benefiting from a $2.9-million upgraded library, which was facilitated through contributions by past students of the intuition.

The project was spearheaded by the José Martí Alumni Association New York Inc. (JMAANY), with support from various groups in the past-students association.

Their efforts resulted in the painting and renovation of the library, which included the installation of new windows, doors and an air-conditioning unit; donation of 20 laptop and 25 desktop computers; expansion of the computer room to facilitate the additional devices and building of a circulation area for the librarian.

Principal, Rev. Dr. Austin Wright, noted that the past students “have done extremely well over the past 10 years to meet the needs of the school and to assist the students”, during the facility’s recent handover.

“Thank you for what you have been doing. Today is significant in the life of the school, and we are grateful for your thought and vision,” Dr. Wright said, citing the gesture as a wise investment for the school’s 1,900 students.

Executive Member of JMAANY, Nordia Burke, said the project was a “labour of love”, as they recognise the importance of libraries in the academic journey of students.

She said they were motivated to raise funds for the facility after learning that the students’ access to library services was limited.

“We had to act. So, we embarked on this journey a year ago. We worked tirelessly to raise funds and received generous donations from individual past students. We are grateful for the support and proud of what we have done and hope that the students and staff will cherish and take good care of the facility,” Ms. Burke said.

Regional Director with the Jamaica Library Service (JLS), Carrol Plummer, who was the guest speaker, underscored the importance of libraries in the educational, cultural and social growth of students.

“By nurturing their creative imagination; libraries are more relevant than before because of the vast information that is on the Internet. It is at the library that you will learn how to find credible information,” she said.

Meanwhile, teacher and librarian at José Martí High, Annette McDonald, said the library’s upgrading will benefit generations to come.

She said the past students’ gesture has made a difference, noting that the school now has a “resource-rich” library to aid in building the current students’ academic credentials.

“We will foster a culture of… learning…, and ensure the long-term relevance of this space,” Ms. Plummer said.

Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, says equipping young learners with the foundational skills for academic success, including literacy and numeracy, is a priority of the Ministry.

Speaking to JIS News during a recent visit to the Green Island High School in Hanover, Senator Morris Dixon highlighted the importance of ensuring a robust early-childhood system to prevent the need for remedial education at the secondary level.

“Children in high school should not be doing remedial work or playing catch-up. They should have already been prepared at the early-childhood level. This is not just an educational issue; it is about setting the stage for lifelong learning and success,” she said.

Dr. Morris Dixon noted that the formative years of a child’s life are crucial for their cognitive and social development.

She pointed out that literacy and numeracy skills acquired during these early years can significantly influence a child’s future academic performance.

“Numeracy and literacy are not merely subjects; they are the building blocks of education. If we fail to address these areas early on, we risk creating a generation that struggles to keep up,” she contended.

The Minister said that her vision for a strengthened early-childhood education system includes a comprehensive review of current programmes and initiatives aimed at enhancing literacy and numeracy.

Senator Morris Dixon said that the Ministry will collaborate with educators, parents, and community organisations to develop targeted strategies that ensure all children have access to quality early-education resources.

“We need to ensure that every child is reached early and given the tools they need to succeed,” she emphasised.

“We cannot afford to let our children lag at the primary and high-school levels. This is a collective responsibility and we must act decisively. Teachers play a pivotal role in shaping young minds.

We must invest in their professional development to enhance the quality of education our children receive,” Senator Morris Dixon explained.

The Minister said that she intends to launch initiatives aimed at educating parents about the significance of engaging with their children in literacy and numeracy activities at home.

“Parents are a child’s first teachers. We need to empower them with the knowledge and tools to support their children’s learning journey,” she said.

The Minister’s commitment to early-childhood education aligns with global trends that recognise the importance of investing in the early years.

Research consistently shows that children who receive a strong foundation in literacy and numeracy are more likely to succeed academically and socially in later years.

The Jamaica Tertiary Education Commission (J-TEC) is reviewing the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) global and regional conventions with respect to the recognition of qualifications concerning higher education.

Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer of J-TEC, Dr. Dameon Black, said the review is to assist in the “internationalisation” of the local tertiary education sector.

“When we speak to the internationalisation, it is not just about the whole matter of consuming, but also offering our educational products and services to others, inviting their citizens to [study] here, so that they might be able to receive of the quality that we have,” he said.

“We want to note that these two conventions, ratified, will assist us in terms of ensuring that the institutions here are able to facilitate and to move forward. We know and we have established quality, but sometimes, with the stamp of approval that these conventions have and how they tend to assist and facilitate, we’ll be able to better move forward,” he added.

Dr. Black was speaking at a Tertiary Education Forum on Friday (Nov. 22) at the Terra Nova Hotel in Kingston.

He said that J-TEC is also working on the development of a national qualification system policy, which would enable persons to build on credits earned during their academic journey.

“We have had a history in Jamaica, where certain qualifications are esteemed higher than others. But what tends to happen when you have such a system is that many persons who have concluded other qualifications are not able to move forward or we have the situation where persons… may drop out at a particular point in time, they have nothing to show for it and they then have to restart,” Dr. Black outlined.

“One of the things that this will do is to facilitate the recognition of credits earned and so at whatever point in time in the system that you exit, you might then be able to build from that point,” he said.

He noted that initiatives through the National Qualifications Framework of Jamaica, as well as the Qualifications Registry of Jamaica, will significantly assist the commission in achieving that objective.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Dr. Kasan Troupe, in her remarks, said “there is a massive job to do in making Jamaica globally competitive and that is what J-TEC is about”.

“Part of doing that is the quality assurance, getting the regulatory framework in place so that our programmes can stand to scrutiny. We have signed on to international treaties and agreements and we work with UNESCO. So, we have agreed, with some understanding, that we must make sure that the system is cohesive and it is reflective of the national and global agendas,” Dr. Troupe said.

Minister of Education, Skills, Youth & Information, Senator Dr. the Honourable Dana Morris Dixon (right), speaks with Grade 8 students of Holmwood Technical High School in Manchester during a visit to the institution on Monday, November 18. From left are: Jawanza Russell, Jaroni Dixon and Jordayne Nunes.

Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, has underscored the importance of private sector and community partnerships in driving the education sector forward.

The newly minted Minister toured four schools in St. Thomas on Thursday (November 14), where she observed significant private sector donations at two of the institutions.

“I went to probably the best early childhood institution I have ever been in at the Jamaica-China Goodwill Infant School. That was fantastic, and I saw a sensory room for children who need to be in that environment – children with special needs – and that was donated by the Digicel Foundation,” Senator Morris Dixon said.

She also highlighted a smart lab at Morant Bay Primary School in the parish capital, which was another donation from the Digicel Foundation.

“What it says is that Government alone can’t do everything. We have to have support, we have to have private sector support, we have to have the community supporting us, and I saw that in St. Thomas,” the Minister said.

Dr. Morris Dixon noted that the parish is the first stop of her islandwide tour, “to better understand what is happening in our schools.”

In addition to Jamaica China Goodwill Infant and Morant Bay Primary, she visited Paul Bogle High and Morant Bay High.

Among her observations, the Minister lauded the presence of smart boards in some classrooms and the improvements in computer labs as well as the intervention in literacy, which was noted at Morant Bay Primary.

“That’s something that I am very much big on, because we need to correct the problems earlier,” she said.

Senator Morris Dixon used the opportunity to commend school leaders for excelling, despite certain limitations.

“One of the things I can say from the tour of the four schools I did… in St. Thomas, is that we have really great leaders in our schools who are doing extraordinary work. Many of the times resources are not there, but they are doing a fantastic job,” the Minister said.

“I saw teachers who were so committed to their students. You could see how alive they were when they were talking about the programmes they were doing for their children, and that’s what we want; and what I want to say to Jamaica, is that we have committed teachers in Jamaica,” she added.

Senator Morris Dixon emphasised that the Education Ministry, “has to work as hard as we can to support our teachers, because what they do is not easy at all.”

Thirty-two students have been awarded Government scholarships in recognition of their exceptional performance in the 2024 Primary Exit Profile (PEP).

Four students, who were the top performers at primary and all-age schools, received special awards valued $180,000 each.

The JAG Smith Scholarship, awarded to the top girl, went to former St. Catherine Primary School student, Davina Richards, who now attends Campion College.

The Marcus Garvey Scholarship, for the most outstanding boy, went to Antoine Allen, formerly of Spalding Primary School in Clarendon, who attends Manchester High.

Kingston College’s Rodriano Ferguson, who attended Mona Heights Primary School in St. Andrew, received the George William Gordon Scholarship for being the second highest ranked student.

The Paul Bogle Scholarship, given to the top-ranking student from a primary or all-age school in the St. Thomas region, went to André McKenzie, formerly of Morant Bay Primary, who now attends Morant Bay High School.

The other 28 students – 14 girls and 14 boys – received awards valued $100,000 each.

The award ceremony was held on Tuesday (November 12) at the Spanish Court Hotel in New Kingston.

Acting Chief Education Officer, Terry-Ann Thomas Gayle, who delivered the keynote address, underscored the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information’s ongoing commitment to supporting students’ academic progress, ensuring that they have the resources and opportunities to succeed in high school and beyond.

She expressed confidence that the PEP scholarship recipients would go on to achieve greatness and use their education to make a meaningful impact on society.

“You are the future of this nation. As you continue your educational journey, remember that you have the power to create a better Jamaica, to contribute to national development and to set an example for others to follow,” Mrs. Thomas Gayle said.

Minister of Education, Skills, Youth & Information, Senator Dr. Dana Morris Dixon, presents the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE) Alumni Award to Dr. Joseph Lindsay (centre), in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Agriculture Education, Research and Development. Displaying the award citation is President of the Assocation, Everett Hyatt.  The occasion was the CASE Evening of Excellence Gala Dinner and Awards Banquet at the AC Marriott Kingston on Wednesday, November 13.