THE Department of Education in Region 4 held its annual Regional Awards Ceremony for outstanding achievements and performances Wednesday at the Theatre Guild Playhouse,Parade Street,Kingston. 

During her remarks Regional Education Officer (REdO) Region#4, Jennifer Bourne, related that education is regarded as a basic requirement and need by all, and hence aids in the overall development of the nation. She emphasised that all persons of school age should seek an education and the Ministry of Education is aiding in many ways. “With the school uniform voucher programme, school- feeding programme and the ‘Because we Care’ campaign, they are doing their part,”

Bourne said.
The REdO noted also that since the ministry made the change to have the nursery school age revised, the system has seen an increase in enrolment at this level. “For 2014, we have realised an additional 300 students into the nursery level of the public school system” and this shows that the system is prepared to accommodate and is capable of educating our nation’s

children.” Bourne asserted that under the ministry’s theme: “Literate by Grade 4 through consistent home, school and community involvement,” her office is in full support of this venture as it will give our students the courage and knowledge to start adulthood.
Bourne also addressed the teachers, noting that presently in Region #4 “there are 1705 teachers where 896 of them are trained and 450 are trained graduates.” She noted also that while the region commends the teachers for their hard work and today is testimony to that, the schools are still experiencing problems with teachers. She noted “unpunctuality of teachers saw many school hours being lost” and the REdO called for these unproductive behaviours to cease immediately.
Region #4 as was explained by the REO failed to reach an acceptable standard in literacy, especially reading and hence supports the programme rolled out by the ministry. It was explained that at the National Grade 2 Assessment 62% of the students that wrote the examination passed with 50% and more which is an increase from 2013. The National Grade 4 Assessment saw only 14% of the students that wrote the examination pass with 50%; and Grade 6 showed no improvement with only 27.6% of students gaining entry into top secondary schools, Bourne alluded.
However, she noted that results from the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) have improved in 2014 and commended the teachers “on a job well done.” She mentioned specifically tremendous improvements by President’s College, Hope, Covent Garden, Diamond and Annandale Secondary Schools. She also stated that persons were given partial scholarships because of their achievements in sports and emphasised the need for parents’ involvement in the school system.
The top performing school for the National Grade 2 Assessment was awarded to La Bonne Intention Primary, while Grade 4 was awarded to Lusignan Primary. Success Elementary was voted the most outstanding private school in Region #4. Bourne concluded by thanking the Ministry of Education for their continued guidance and support.
Leslyn Edwards Charles, Assistant Chief Education Office (ACEO) Secondary – Ministry of Education, during her brief feature address congratulated all the awardees on behalf of Minister of Education, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Chief Education Officer. She noted that while work needs to be done in the system, Region #4 has been “doing well.”
Charles congratulated specifically the teachers and educators in Region #4 for their contributions and noted that teachers have a pivotal role to play in moulding the nation’s children. She echoed the REdO’s words, noting that more monitoring of teachers are needed to curb unpunctuality, absenteeism and extended sick leave. On that note she also encouraged teachers who have been “putting their all out” to continue doing so.
“To you the students use this award as an encouragement to do better in every step of your life” the ACEO charged and once again congratulated the students and the region for all their achievements.
Also speaking at the ceremony, Regional Chairman Region #4, Clement Corlette, congratulated all the awardees for their outstanding achievements.

(Rebecca Ganesh-Ally)