Chief Education Officer Olato Sam yesterday called on parents to solidify their role in the lives of their children throughout their academic journey.
Speaking at an event hosted by Princess International Hotel in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, aimed at recognizing the academic achievement of the students who secured places in the top 1% at the National Grade Six Assessment, he told a story of how parents’ active participation in their child’s academic life dwindles the higher the child climbs. Sam described the situation as a trend that needs to be reversed.
“I must say to you that this stage of your children’s future is the stage in which they need your strongest support and guidance. There is absolutely nothing that your children will face in their secondary experience that cannot be addressed by strong parental guidance and support,” he said. He also expressed the opinion that every successful student at every level in the education system is successful because of the quality of support received not just from the institutions they attend but from their families as well.
Sam encouraged the young students to make the most of what they have been offered. “Hard work is always rewarded sooner or later. Stay committed to your faith, trust and listen to your family members particularly your parents,” Sam said.
Minister of Education Dr Rupert Roopnaraine expressed his happiness at being present as the students were recognised and awarded for what he described as an excellent academic achievement.
“I know some of you came here through hard work and a great deal of sacrifice. What I want to tell you is that whatever road this journey is taking you on, I’m glad that you have arrived at this stage,” he told them.
He added that apart from the students, both parents and teachers must be equally proud of the achievements made at the National Grade Six Assessment. The minister explained that it is also an achievement for the school system, particularly the private schools. He went on to urge the public schools to rise to the challenge of becoming competitive in the delivery of their service.
Additionally, Minister Roopnaraine said that “The main goal of primary education in the next five years is to ensure that the gap between the top hundred students and bottom hundred students writing the NGSA is narrowed.”
He said it was necessary to ensure that the distribution of excellence is no longer skewed as it is at present towards the coastal plains. “Region 4 accounted for 120 out of the 166 students in the top 1%. We owe it to our hinterland students to end their deprivation. They must get their fair share of our educational investments,” he stated.
Roopnaraine asked the students to keep in mind that “school is the foundation while the pursuit of education is for life,”
The collaborative effort saw the 166 students being treated to a day of games, movies, and lunch at the Princess Hotel and Fun City.
Meanwhile, Solomon Cherai, Shania Eastman and Celine Farinha, the country’s top performers were presented with airline tickets for themselves and parents by Fly Jamaica to any of the airline’s destinations as a reward for their outstanding achievements.
The 166 students also received certificates from the Ministry of Education for their outstanding performances.
