CPEA, a journey with Faith

THE MUCH ANTICIPATED CPEA exams came with all the anxiety parents cause their children, and the usual saturation coverage by the media-including with cameras in tow and getting the sentiments of parents waiting outside the examination centers. Time flies when one is having fun, but when one is over- anxious it might seem that time is an eternity.

This past weekend the anxiety heightened as news broke on Friday that the results were received; but the majority of students had to wait until Monday, June 22, 2026 to know what they had done, and begin their celebrations. Who passed for which school? How did one prepare? What would you love to be? A bit too much pressure you may say for a 12 year old! though there are the few who already have their sights firmly set on a possible career path.

But the pressures are not the same for all contenders. There are those who, depending on their circumstances may be rewarded with a flight to some distant theme park. There will be a shopping spree thrown in as a matter of course.These would be guaranteed a placement in the secondary school of choice; and their results would have ensured this.

Then there are some who silently, secretly, must been looking on bewildered. Which one of the ‘other’ institutions would I be sent to? Would my parents be able to afford the costs of transportation, supplies and uniforms? Worst yet there are those who may be wondering if their single mother would be able to convince the absent father to assist her. This, unfortunately still occurs despite the former administration’s move towards universal secondary education.

Such is the reality of inequalities still existent in our underdeveloped young nation.They are challenges we must face together and seek to overcome as one people.

But today we congratulate the efforts of the young students who, amidst the many distractions around, stayed focused and put in the work and are now being rightly rewarded.

Among the many proud students about to embark on another step on the education voyage, is one whose situation most young students may not imagine.This student was rightly named Faith by her mother.

The circumstances of our undeveloped state robbed Faith Grant of her sight from infancy. Not even a last ditch outreach to the medical professionals in our sister nation, Cuba, could have assisted.

But baby Faith was blessed with a mother who does not take no for an answer. Faith was given the love every child deserves. She was exposed to education, exposed to the learning of foreign languages, introduced to the gift of music and learnt to play the piano.

Through a philanthropist she was able to gain access to the use of a braille machine. She attended the Fairhall Primary School where she prepared for her CPEA examinations and has emerged as one of the top students in this nation. Faith did not allow the circumstances of her lack of sight to cloud the vision her mother had for her. She has emerged among the top 50 students nationally and has chosen, not surprisingly, to attend the Girls High School.

This is a story of triumph over adversity. It is an example for all other students of what is possible when one applies tenacity to goals being sought. Today we congratulate Faith and all other students as they move forward towards secondary education.

No matter what one’s circumstances in life there are goals one can, with effort, and support, achieve.