According to the figures, 70% of the students who took the Primary School Examination got lower than the passing mark of 70%. Distressing results to be sure but amidst all this despair, there are points of light, students who triumphed in the face of adversity, those who excelled in a time of mediocrity, and those who are just plain smart. And rather than tales of woe and wailing or fear and loathing, from a crumbling community, they are our headline story tonight.
Yes, there are hundreds who qualify as over-achievers, all with inspiring stories, but the 26 who did the best were honored today at the sixth annual Primary School Examination Awards ceremony. 7NEWS was there for the celebration and we also got a sobered, even cutting assessment of the church managed primary education system. We'll have that, but we begin with the brightest school children in the land.
Keith Swift Reporting,
Through dance and through music, this morning parents, teachers, and the country celebrated the success of these standard six students. They are the top 26 finishers in this year's Primary School Examination. These overachievers were led by Tina Shen from Belize Elementary School who topped this year's exam and got a perfect score in math.
Tina Shen, 1st Place in PSE
"It's a great honor to be here. All of us did well because we worked hard along with our teachers who put great effort into helping us to excel and make our school proud."
- Tina was on stage alongside 8 other students from Belize elementary who finished in the top 26.
- Mischa von Derek Aikman from Grace Primary finished in second place and he was on stage with 4 of his classmates.
- Donovan Holder from Hummingbird Elementary who placed third was joined on stage with 3 of his classmates from Hummingbird.
- In fact from this group of 26 students, 22 are from schools in the Belize District.
One of only two schools outside the Belize District to place in the top 26 is Sacred Heart Primary in Stann Creek. Wicky Cheng was the school's top finisher ahead of Amy Wong and Jacqueline Sabal.
Jacqueline Sabal, Placed 25th - Sacred Heart Primary
"I feel proud to know that we did well apart from other students, that we represented our district well and our school."
Keith Swift,
How do you feel?
Wicky Cheng, Placed 11th - Sacred Heart Primary
"The same way she feels." [Laughs]
Aimee Wong, Placed 18th - Sacred Heart Primary
"Hard work pays off."
Keith Swift,
When you say hardwork what do you mean?
Aimee Wong,
"Studying, Saturday classes, morning classes, extra classes, and studying by yourself at home and your parents drilling you. It really pays off."
Keith Swift,
How does today feel?
Aimee Wong,
"Very excited, very happy; quite honored."
Jacqueline Sabal,
"I am kind of nervous but really happy in a different way because it makes me feel different from other students because I know everyone here is happy but I feel different."
Jason Cheng and Joshua Smith from Mary Hill School in Corozal didn't make the top 26 but Cheng got a perfect score in math and Smith was the country's top finisher in science.
Jason Cheng, Mary Hill School
"I feel proud of myself and I have to thank like my teacher for their
advice and encouragement to study hard in the math subject."
Keith Swift,
You got the highest in science, how does it feel?
Joshua Smith,
"It feels good. I feel proud. I never expected to get a high grade in science."
Keith Swift,
What do you think you did different?
Joshua Smith,
"Study."
Keith Swift,
That's all it took?
Joshua Smith,
"Yes. Review your notes from the whole year and read some books."
Jason and Joshua are however the exception rather than the rule. More than half of all students who took the exam failed. Minister of Education Francis Fonseca says there's hardly reason to celebrate.
Hon. Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education
"We can't be satisfied at all as I've said very clearly. We can't be satisfied when more than 50% of our young people are not doing well on these exams. Our entire nation must be concerned. As we celebrate with these young people this morning, as we acknowledge and hold them up as fine examples of Belize's future, we also have to recognize that there are real challenges that we face in our education system, real challenges we face in our society, and
we have to find real solutions to those challenges; real lasting solutions."
The situation according to Fonseca is that just about half of all teachers aren't properly trained. He says part of the blame for that lies squarely at the doorsteps of the church management.
Hon. Francis Fonseca,
"Teacher training is an absolutely critical factor in improving the quality of education in our country. Today in Belize the number of qualified teachers is just around 52% qualified teachers. So you understand the tremendous challenge that we face.
(As) The managers of these institutions, the church has to take responsibility for that issue and we are going to work along with them on that issue. We have to ensure that we have good quality teachers in the classroom. It can't be that you are a good Catholic or you're a good Anglican and that is the qualification for being a teacher. There must be more.
The vast majority of our teachers are good hardworking people but those who are not performing must find another profession."
Tina Shen received the Jane and Michael Nembhard award which is a full high school scholarship. She also won a computer from the Ministry of Education and a printer from Sigertronics. The other awardees received vouchers for books.
