WHILE THERE was a significant decline in the overall passes in Mathematics at this year’s CSEC results, the Mackenzie High School in Linden has booted in exceptional grades in Mathematics and is seeing this as an achievement to be noted.

Though the overall pass rate for the school is 84%, the analysis of the results shows that the lone High School in Region 10 has done very well despite facing several challenges.
A total of 25 students received grade ones in Mathemtics while the overall pass rate stands above 70%. English A pulled in a total of 39 grade ones with an overall pass rate of 90%. The school also ranked in 100% passes for Agricultural Science, Building Technology, Clothing and Textile, EDPM and Food and Nutrition. Over 90% of the students in the 2016 batch passed Economics and English A, while 80% passed Biology, Caribbean History and Geography. The school has also copped 8 of the 10 spots for the Region’s top 10 with the top business student gaining 7 grade ones.
Not only is the CSEC results remarkable but the Carribbean Advance Proffiency Examination (CAPE), also saw noticeable success with 100% overall passes in several subjects. These include Agricultural Science, Caribbean Studies, Chemistry, Communication Studies, Environmental Science, Geography, Law Unit 1, Management of Business, Mathematics Unit 1 and 2, Physics and Sociology Unit 1 and 2. The top CAPE student is Enester Gordon who is now pursuing her degree in Economics at the University of Guyana.
Newly- retired Head Master Gary Roberts expressed elation over the results achieved just before he gave up his post. “I feel good, elated because we had an improvement over the last couple of years, we kind of set new records, for the first time we had that amount of grade 1’s in Mathematics and since I was coming off I was even more happy, I would have left a kind of legacy….I think I am more than elated,” he said.
Top CSEC student Asher Marks who hails from the business stream told the Guyana Chronicle that his achievement of 7 grade ones and 4 grade twos can be deemed the fruit of hard labour. The lad accredited his performance to his ability to balance his time, attending a lot of lessons and studying hard.
“I’m very happy that I have been able to accomplish this. This was a result of hard work and now I can prepare for the next road which is 6th form. He plans on returning to MHS to pursue business subjects in the Caribbean Advance Profienciency Examination. The top student gave foremost thanks to God for bringing him through the journey. “I would like to thank God, my family, my teachers and friends for helping me through this journey,” he said. He encouraged the students now approaching 5th form to master the art of balancing time in addition to working hard and being determined to succeed. Other top students were: Tiffany Thomas also achieving 7 grade ones; Sheralyn Vangenderen; Risa Retemyer; Daycia Ceasar; Caleah Barker; Tricia Hutson; Myranda Johnny; Williamson Moonique and Kyresse Chapman.