Top schools named – 87 percent success in Grade 12

in All News, Youth/Education / By: BVI News Online on June 13, 2017 at 1:05 PM /

While disclosing an 87 percent pass rate among the territory’s first batch of Grade 12 students, as well as the performance of public secondary schools, Minister of Education Myron Walwyn said the overall grades being provided this year are more authentic.

“With the adjustments that we made with our new graduation requirements, along with the other quality assurance initiatives that we implemented, our results have greater authenticity,” he told the House of Assembly this morning, June 13.

The minister stated that the territory recorded an 87 percent pass rate among this year’s Grade 12 students in the school leaving exams.

“Of the 226 eligible students, 198 of them successfully completed all the requirements for graduation.”

“The students who were unsuccessful (13 percent) would have fallen short in earning sufficient credits, failing the proficiency exam, or did not acquire sufficient community service hours,” added Walwyn.

TOP SCHOOLS

The minister also released information showing that the top performing school is Claudia Creque Educational Centre, followed by Elmore Stoutt High, Bregado Flax Educational Centre, and then the Virgin Islands School of Technical Studies (VISTS).

Claudia Creque Educational Centre, which is based on the island of Anegada, secured a 100 percent pass rate. “For the Claudia Creque Educational Centre, of the two Grade 12 students, both were successful in achieving the academic requirements, and both students passed with honours.”

Walwyn then turned to Elmore Stoutt High School in Road Town, Tortola. “The territory’s largest secondary school – Elmore Stoutt High School, earned a 98 percent pass rate. For the Elmore Stoutt High school, of the 162 students, 159 were successful in achieving all the requirements. Of those students, four received high honours and 71 received honours.”

The minister, in the meantime, stated that most students were successful at Bregado Flax Educational Centre, which is located at Virgin Gorda. “For the Bregado Flax Educational Centre, of the 40 Grade 12 students, 29 students were successful in achieving all requirements. This signifies a 72 percent pass rate. Of those students, one student received high honour while 15 received honours.”

Meanwhile, at the territory’s technical school in Baugher’s Bay, 24 students enrolled in Grade 12 and 33 percent of those students passed. The education minister said there was one high honour student and two honour students.

TOP STUDENTS

The education minister, in the meantime, said the results this year show a total of six students (or 3 percent of the Grade 12 batch) receiving high honours. They comprised one male and five females. High honour students are required to have a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.0 to 4.3.

Further, 90 of the students (or 45 percent of the Grade 12 group) received honours. Those recipients comprised 26 males and 64 females. Honour students must receive a GPA of 3.0 to 3.9 on the 4.3 scale.

The top student in the territory, Kierra John, attends the Virgin Islands School of Technical Studies. She has a GPA of 4.3.

The second place finisher is Kerriann Freeman of Elmore Stoutt High School; with a GPA of 4.07.

SECOND CHANCE

In the meantime, the education minister explained the options available to students who did not pass the school leaving examinations.

“Of the 30 Grade 12 students who were unsuccessful, there are eight of them who qualify to write the exit proficiency exams again in July, thus giving them another chance to complete their High School Diploma requirements.”

“For all the others [who were unsuccessful], they have the option of returning to Grade 12 and repeating the year, or attending the Alternative Secondary Education Programme for six months,” Walwyn further told the Houe.

GRADUATION

Walwyn also used the opportunity to explain how the students’ performances will affect their ability to graduate and obtain their school leaving diplomas.

“This year’s graduating group is the first to have to meet the new criteria set out by the Ministry of Education. Compulsory for graduation, students had to pass all core subjects – Math, English, General Science, and a Social Science; two vocational subjects; two Industry skills subjects; and an elective – which would amount to a total of 75 credits or a minimum of 60 credits across their senior years, of Grades 10, 11, and 12.”

“In addition, each student had to earn a pass in the Exit Proficiency examinations in Math and English as well as 120 hours of community service,” Walwyn further told the House.