Dear Editor,
In the aftermath of the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) results, some students are happy while others are sad. The cycle now starts again where parents are seeking transfers for their children who have been placed at a 'failing' school.
The notion of traditional vs non-traditional speaks volumes to the inequality that exists in our education sector. I want to take this opportunity to speak to all the students who were not placed at a school of their choice and encourage them that they can be successful wherever they go. I want to encourage them to ignore all the stigma and negative influences that exist about the school in which they have been placed.
I want to use my life as an example to encourage a child. It doesn't matter where you go, you can succeed. My alma mater has been classified as one of the worst schools in Trelawny, and I personally did not want to go there. It is currently ranked at 146, with just 3.3 per cent of students leaving with five or more subjects including mathematics and English.
I want to use my life as an example to encourage a child. It doesn't matter where you go, you can succeed. My alma mater has been classified as one of the worst schools in Trelawny, and I personally did not want to go there. It is currently ranked at 146, with just 3.3 per cent of students leaving with five or more subjects including mathematics and English.
I had asked my mother to seek a transfer for me; I was so sad and bitter knowing that I was going to that school. However, the transfer process was unsuccessful, consequently I had no choice but to enrol in the institution. In grade seven, I placed first in my class with an average above 80 per cent. At that time my teachers began to encourage me and I really settled down and took my education seriously. I got friends who were eager to learn, some even pushed me to work harder because they wanted to 'beat' me, so they could attain the glory of being first in the class.
In grade nine, I could never forget September 8, 2008, my business basics teacher told us to write our aims for the next five years. I wrote specifically, "I want to excel in all the subjects I choose at the end of grade nine. I want to pass 12 CSEC subjects." I wrote other things, but in the end, my teacher gave me 9.5 out of 10, and her reason for not giving me full marks was that I can't pass 12 subjects. Did she say that because of the type of school? Was it that she had no confidence in me? Whatever it was, it discouraged me, but I still persevered. You will face challenges along the way, people -- even teachers -- will try to discourage you, but remain focused, set achievable goals, work towards them, and never give up. Do not let your school, environment or situation define you.
I pursued my goal, and I did not give up. A teacher encouraged me to sit the human and social biology CSEC exam in grade 10 and I passed with a grade one. So I was encouraged that I could do it. I pushed myself to the limit because I was determined to succeed. I signed up to do eleven CSEC subjects. I remember at one point where I was doing so many school-based assessment (SBA) pieces I had to skip some classes to do labs. The stress was getting to me, I would have a headache almost every day. One of my good friends told me that it was better I did just eight than to take on so many, but I was determined to succeed.
In the end, I passed all 11 subjects, with eight grade ones and three twos. I graduated from Cedric Titus High School with 12 CSEC subjects. I did what others thought was impossible. I am just encouraging others who are in a similar position not to give up hope, but to persevere and overcome all odds.
Kenroy Davis
Student, Church Teachers' College
You can be successful at any school
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In the aftermath of the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) results, some students are happy while others are sad. The cycle now starts again where parents are seeking transfers for their children who have been placed at a 'failing' school.
The notion of traditional vs non-traditional speaks volumes to the inequality that exists in our education sector. I want to take this opportunity to speak to all the students who were not placed at a school of their choice and encourage them that they can be successful wherever they go. I want to encourage them to ignore all the stigma and negative influences that exist about the school in which they have been placed.
I want to use my life as an example to encourage a child. It doesn't matter where you go, you can succeed. My alma mater has been classified as one of the worst schools in Trelawny, and I personally did not want to go there. It is currently ranked at 146, with just 3.3 per cent of students leaving with five or more subjects including mathematics and English.
I want to use my life as an example to encourage a child. It doesn't matter where you go, you can succeed. My alma mater has been classified as one of the worst schools in Trelawny, and I personally did not want to go there. It is currently ranked at 146, with just 3.3 per cent of students leaving with five or more subjects including mathematics and English.
I had asked my mother to seek a transfer for me; I was so sad and bitter knowing that I was going to that school. However, the transfer process was unsuccessful, consequently I had no choice but to enrol in the institution. In grade seven, I placed first in my class with an average above 80 per cent. At that time my teachers began to encourage me and I really settled down and took my education seriously. I got friends who were eager to learn, some even pushed me to work harder because they wanted to 'beat' me, so they could attain the glory of being first in the class.
In grade nine, I could never forget September 8, 2008, my business basics teacher told us to write our aims for the next five years. I wrote specifically, "I want to excel in all the subjects I choose at the end of grade nine. I want to pass 12 CSEC subjects." I wrote other things, but in the end, my teacher gave me 9.5 out of 10, and her reason for not giving me full marks was that I can't pass 12 subjects. Did she say that because of the type of school? Was it that she had no confidence in me? Whatever it was, it discouraged me, but I still persevered. You will face challenges along the way, people -- even teachers -- will try to discourage you, but remain focused, set achievable goals, work towards them, and never give up. Do not let your school, environment or situation define you.
I pursued my goal, and I did not give up. A teacher encouraged me to sit the human and social biology CSEC exam in grade 10 and I passed with a grade one. So I was encouraged that I could do it. I pushed myself to the limit because I was determined to succeed. I signed up to do eleven CSEC subjects. I remember at one point where I was doing so many school-based assessment (SBA) pieces I had to skip some classes to do labs. The stress was getting to me, I would have a headache almost every day. One of my good friends told me that it was better I did just eight than to take on so many, but I was determined to succeed.
In the end, I passed all 11 subjects, with eight grade ones and three twos. I graduated from Cedric Titus High School with 12 CSEC subjects. I did what others thought was impossible. I am just encouraging others who are in a similar position not to give up hope, but to persevere and overcome all odds.
Kenroy Davis
Student, Church Teachers' College
You can be successful at any school
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