Jamaican students top regional examination ranking

JAMAICAN students have dominated the regional ranking in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) June 2014 examinations, copping 161 top-ten positions in 30 subjects, followed by Trinidad & Tobago with 109 positions.

The regional ranking shows Jamaican students leading in mathematics, Caribbean history, religious education, and information technology, among other subjects.

Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) data showed that local students particularly excelled in technical and vocational subjects, including agricultural science, food & nutrition, home economics, building technology and electrical/electronic technology.

In addition, Jamaican student Nile Anderson of The Manning’s School won the CXC’s regional award for the Most Outstanding Candidate in the Sciences. He achieved grade one in 13 subjects and grade two in three others.

Meanwhile, students from Trinidad & Tobago have dominated the regional ranking in the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE), nearly doubling the number of Jamaican students in top-ten positions.

However, two Jamaican students have achieved regional awards in CAPE. Romario White of Campion College won the Natural Science Award with grade one in nine units, while Jozelle Dixon of Wolmer’s Girls’ School has been selected for the Humanities Award. She achieved grade one in seven units.

While congratulating Jamaican students and schools on their favourable performance regionally, Education Minister Ronald Thwaites noted that, nationally, there was need for a more even distribution of academic excellence. He implored educators and school administrators to share best practices to boost student achievement on a wider scale.