THE Nehemiah Comprehensive School of Lot 279 Forshaw Street, Queenstown, Georgetown is twelve years old and is daily growing from strength to strength. Having demonstrated its mettle as a veritable trail-blazer, it flags an approach to education that makes every child a winner.

Under the capable ownership of Mrs. Yvonne Osman, this private institution of academic learning threw its doors open to the public in September 2001, being then located at 45 Hadfield Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown.
With an initial intake of 19 students aged 11-plus, and a staff of three full-time teachers, it functioned as a Secondary School only; but by September 2006, the Primary Department was launched. Thereafter, the response has been phenomenal; and over the years, hundreds of students have performed creditably at their respective examinations, and have been able to enter the world of work, making meaningful contributions to themselves and the society in which they live, while others still have moved on to institutions of higher learning, such as the University of Guyana and the Government Technical Institute.
Phenomenal growth in student population mandated that the school relocate to a bigger building at 279 Forshaw Street, Queenstown, where it is now comfortably accommodated in the serene ambience of a safe and healthy environment.
In an interview with the Sunday Pepperpot, Mrs. Osman, the Principal, explained that Nehemiah places a high premium on moral and spiritual values, while helping each child to recognize his/her worth and develop self-esteem. The school also helps each child to develop his/her God-given potential in terms of skills in academics, in the performing arts, and in sports.  The school’s motto, a verse of scripture, is a timely reminder that: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13.
“When children come, we do a pre-evaluation, and that will determine which stream the child will go into; and this is discussed with the parents,” Mrs Osman said. The school is geared towards producing well-rounded students who function at a high level of academic excellence.
Teachers at the school also have a knack for spotting hidden potential in children not so academically inclined, and they work with those students, taking on the challenge of honing their skills, so that each child can become a master/mistress in his/her chosen field.
The principal added that, even as the school strives for good grades at exams, it equally emphasises the importance of character, and places a high premium on helping students to be balanced individuals who are compassionate and look out for each other.

The Programme
The Primary Department caters for children from Grades One to Six, where School-Based Assessments (SBAs) are done according to guidelines from the Ministry of Education. The Secondary Department caters for two categories of children: those who are academically inclined and have been successful at the Grade Six Assessment (previously the Common Entrance Examination); and students who need remedial help. Consequently, the school’s Secondary Department is divided into two groupings or streams, namely: the academic stream and the skills achievement stream.
The curriculum for the academic stream is based mainly on the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) examinations, wherein the students sit CSEC examinations in various subjects.
The core courses in the skills achievement stream are accredited by the Adult Education Association (AEA) of Guyana, so that on completion of their programme of studies, such students are awarded certificates authenticated by the Adult Education Association of Guyana Inc, in collaboration with Nehemiah Comprehensive School.
The following subjects are taught in the academic stream: English Language, English Literature, Spanish, Mathematics, Social Studies, Music, Integrated Science, Physical Education, Moral Education (Bible-based), Electronic Data Preparation Management (EDPM), Principles of Accounts, Principles of Business and Office Administration.
The following subjects are taught in the skills achievement stream: Building Technology or Home Economics, English Language, Mathematics, Social Studies, Health Science, Electronic Data Preparation Management (EDPM), Reading (Phonics), Moral Education (Bible-based) Physical Education, and Music.
Extra-curricular activities include: Elocution and Debate Club, Cricket, Football, Dance, Bible Club, and Environmental Club.  Emphasis is placed on sports and the inculcation of right attitudes.
Students’ performances at examinations continue to be heartening. At CSEC, the results for 2004 to 2009 averaged 71.6%, with passes in Grades 1 to 3 in nine subjects. By 2007, the school proudly recorded its first distinctions in Social Studies and English A.  By 2011, results rose to 91% pass mark, with five distinctions; 11 Grade Ones; 32 Grade Twos and 11 Grade Threes. Distinctions were gained in English A, Principles of Accounts, Principles of Business, and in Office Administration.
The school’s strong areas, the principal said, continue to be Integrated Science, Social Studies, the business subjects and English A. “We’ve always had 100% passes over the years in Integrated Science and Social Studies,” Mrs Osman proudly asserted.
Last year, Renee Toney graduated with 100% passes in 11 subjects, including seven (7) Grade Ones. She was the top student among 17 fielded by the school. In the previous year, top student Rene Mitchell had obtained 100% passes with seven Grade Ones, including one distinction, out of nine subjects. She is now attending a sixth-form secondary school.
And, incredibly, the skills assessment stream has recorded such success that it has recognized Leon Caleb, who, after having spent four years in that stream, was transferred to Form 3 in the academic stream; and on writing the CSEC (CXC) exam along with the fourth form students, emerged Valedictorian (the  school’s top student) in 2009. He scored 100% passes in five subjects at one sitting.
Also worthy of mention is Albert Joseph, who was moved from the skills stream to the academic stream because of his interest in business. He wrote Principles of Accounts and Music Theory at the international exams, and passed the former with a Grade One, and the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music Theory, Grade One, with distinction.
These are fine examples of what a child can achieve if he or she puts to work his or her God-given potential, and gets the kind of tutoring and support provided by Nehemiah Comprehensive School and other support systems.
And the school continues to do well at the National Grade Six Assessment Exams.  At this year’s sitting, four of the five students (all girls) stood out.
Michelle Davidson obtained 500 marks; Akala Luke obtained 477; Shamale Mendonca, 475; Abena Beckles, 455; and Latiefha Denny, 416.