JIS: Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Alando Terrelonge, has praised the management and staff of the social learning website, EduFocal, for the work being done to empower young people through education.
The facility, which was established in 2012, uses the principles of game elements in learning (gamification) to present test material to students preparing for final examinations at the primary and high school levels.
The principal tests are the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) and Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination.
EduFocal is headed by Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Gordon Swaby, whom the State Minister encouraged to “continue to devise programmes to challenge our students and to help them to think critically”.
The State Minister was speaking at EduFocal’s seventh annual Excellence Awards ceremony at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston on Wednesday (July 24) Ten primary and 10 high school students were recognised for academic achievements resulting from their using the Edufocal online interactive learning platform to prepare for PEP and CSEC.
Top awardee at the primary level was 12-year-old Jeremiah Shim, formerly of Mavisville Preparatory in Kingston, who was placed first on the EduFocal PEP leader board.
He will attend St. George’s College in September, when the 2019/20 academic year begins.
Richard Greenwood, a 17-year-old Kingston College student, was the top EduFocal CSEC leader board performer.
Each received a $50,000 bursary, and, along with the other awardees, were given plaques and gift certificates.
In congratulating the students, Mr. Terrelonge encouraged them to stay motivated and inspired, and to think critically and endeavour, at all times, to be the best they can be. “It is only through education that you will be empowered… and your empowerment is critical to national growth, development and prosperity,’ he added.
To date, over 20,000 students have used the EduFocal platform to prepare for the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT); its replacement, PEP; and CSEC.
CAPTION: State Minister in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Alando Terrelonge (centre, front row), with EduFocal’s Primary Exit Profile awardee level of the Edu Focal leader board. Also pictured are Vice Chairman of the NCB Foundation, Andrew Pearman (left, back row); EduFocal’s Chairman, Peter Levy (third left, back row), and Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder, Gordon Swaby (third right, back row). The occasion was the EduFocal’s seventh annual Excellence Awards ceremony at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston on Wednesday (July 24).