Over 140 awards were handed out for outstanding performances at the Ministry of Education’s National Awards Ceremony for the recognition of scholastic achievements in the May/June 2017 (CXC) Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA) and the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examinations.
The ceremony took place recently at the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College Villa Campus.
The overall and top female performer at the CSEC level was Iana Ferguson of the Girls’ High School and the top male performer at the CSEC level was Shane Cadogan of the St. Vincent Grammar School.
The top female performer after remediation went to Derica Yorke of the Barrouallie Secondary School and his schoolmate, Dafique Simmons, was the top male performer award after remediation.
The top CPEA award went to Rosario Browne of the Kingstown Preparatory School. Nine other students were also given prizes for their outstanding performances at the CPEA.
Fifty-four students received awards for commendable performances after remediation at the CSEC level with students obtaining five to nine subjects.
Twenty-two students of the Girls’ High School, six of the Grammar School and two from the Mountain View Academy received awards for obtaining 11 subjects at the CSEC level.
Four students received awards for attaining 12 subjects — three from the Girls’ High School and one from the St. Vincent Grammar School.
Two students, both of the Girls’ High School and the St. Vincent Grammar School received awards for obtaining 13 subjects.
Top performers in different disciplines also received prizes, these include: business, science, humanities, modern languages, industrial technology, home economics and creative/performing arts/physical education and sports.
The school with the best CSEC results was the Girls’ High School, the school with the most improved results was Georgetown Secondary, and the school with the best results after remediation was Barrouallie Secondary.
Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves said opportunities have multiplied and students are taking advantage of this reality.
He reffered to the early childhood education, and universal access to education, all part of government’s mandate to revolutionise the education system.
Gonsalves said there is “great hope and promise” in the youth of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Also addressing the ceremony was Minister of Education, St. Clair Prince.
Prince commended all successful students and urged them not to be satisfied with mediocre grades.
“Over the last 10 years, government has guaranteed nearly 90 million dollars to ensure that students go to university.”
The minister said this “indicates the willingness of the government to ensure that young people in this country continue to soar and reach the pinnacle of their ability”.
He also congratulated the hard working teachers for their contribution towards the development of the nation’s youth.
Telecommunications Company Flow was the sponsor of this event and the company’s Marketing and Corporate Communications Manager, Nikala Williams, outlined the contribution Flow has made and is making towards the development of the nation’s youth and commended their efforts in attaining successful results.