St. Vincent Grammar School makes a little dip in CSEC

The St. Vincent Grammar School dipped a couple percentage points overall in this year’s CSEC examinations.

An acute rotation of staff and a Chemistry lab in total disrepair are the chief culprits identified by Headmaster Frank Jones why the school slipped from 87 per cent overall passes last year to 84 per cent this year.{{more}}

These problems, Jones told SEARCHLIGHT, are directly responsible for them not having a higher pass rate.

The school’s pass rate in Chemistry was in the high 80s in 2007 but only stands at 66 per cent this year.

“I am trying to get a commitment of a stable staff. The lab is finished, which is good, but I am looking for it to be properly equipped,” Jones said.

All isn’t lost, however, for what remains one of the top schools in the nation – far from it.

“I am really still pleased. Our students and teachers worked hard against the odds,” Jones told SEARCHLIGHT.

The school got above 90 per cent passes in six subject disciplines: Geography, Biology, Physics, Principles of Business, Social Studies and Information Technology.

While the staff and lab issues rest at the feet of the Education Ministry’s bureaucracy, Jones told SEARCHLIGHT that he and his staff are not resting on their laurels.

“We are going to be trying hard to get our boys to read more and we are getting our teachers to commit to giving extra classes and remedial work,”’ Jones said, as he looks forward to the coming school term.

Ezron John with his 10 subjects, including 8 ones, led the Grammar School’s top performance list, which also includes Kalique Peters and Kendall Hinds.

They got 10 subjects with seven and six grade ones, respectively. (KJ)