Malcolm pleased with A’Level results

The A’Level results are back and while the Community College has scored a 62 per cent pass rate this year – a decline of five per cent when compared to last year’s – the institution is relishing its success having recorded a general improvement in the quality of grades over last year’s results.

Kelvin Malcolm, Principal of the Community College was quite relaxed when SEARCHLIGHT interviewed him on Wednesday morning, one day after the results were released.{{more}}

Malcolm disclosed that 344 students had registered with the Community College to write the GCE A’Level exams this year.

He noted that there were outstanding performances in individual subject areas. Art & Design and English Literature maintained a 100 per cent pass rate, with English Literature maintaining a near 10-year record streak of 100 per cent passes. Malcolm used the opportunity to compliment Kattian Barnwell, the English Literature lecturer for this accomplishment.

There were also good performances in Accounting with a 91 per cent pass rate, Geography 90 per cent, and Computing 88 per cent. Malcolm noted that there has been an improvement in Geography and Computing over last year’s results.

Overall, the Psychology subject area had the best results in terms of percentage passes and quality of grades. Of the 48 students who attained passes in this area eight scored As, 24 attained Bs while 10 recorded grades Cs.

Malcolm said other commendable performances were in the areas of Law with a 72 per cent pass rate, Economics 63 per cent and Physics 60 per cent.

This year five students passed four A’Levels, 45 passed three A’levels, 80 students passed two A’Levels and 91 students passed 1 A’Level.

Mandela Campbell and Kamal Wood, two students who excelled in the CXC examinations two years ago with flying colours have done well in the A’Level examinations. Malcolm stated that they have maintained their standing and he is sure they will feature in the Island Scholarship reckoning.

Giving an insight into his vision for the institution, Malcolm said, there is a need to streamline the institution.

“I would like to see some programme reforms taking place,” said Malcolm.

“The time has come for us to provide a complete programme at the post secondary level,” he emphasized, explaining that lots of colleges are upgrading to provide degree programmes.

Malcolm said there is a need to establish more links with education institutions within and outside the Caribbean.

“If we can get our students to complete half of a degree programme at home it will be more economical for them. A good associate degree will provide the access to a higher level of education. That’s what I want to see in the future,” said Malcolm.

Meanwhile, Malcolm disclosed the institution is still awaiting the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) results.