I wish to make some suggestions regarding the distribution of national scholarships for our CAPE students. At present most of the scholarship winners come from prestige schools which are the denominational schools, and these are the schools which get the most brilliant students from the SEA exams. The majority of students that are placed in the Government schools usually attain lower marks in the SEA and in many of these students’ minds, it is a foregone conclusion as to which students in the country will win the scholarships.
The copping of a scholarship is a prestigious accomplishment and it serves not only to inspire the individual who won the scholarship, but also to motivate all of his/her peers at the respective school. In order to change the mindset of many of the students in the non-prestige schools to uplift them from mediocrity and failure to seek excellence, it might be a wise idea to restructure the distribution of national scholarships.
I would like to suggest that scholarships be distributed on a quota system with 50 per cent going to the denominational schools and the other 50 per cent going to the government schools. There can be a further sub-division based on educational district. Additionally, the Presidents Gold Medal can be awarded to two schools, ie, one to a denominational school and the other to a government school.
I firmly believe that if we can find ways to motivate and inspire our students we can significantly reduce the high rate of failure in our educational system which would in turn create a better future for our country. It is high time that we start thinking bigger rather than continue to operate in a closed box. We must continue to find ways to drive our entire country forward.
Preston Kissoon,
Vice-Principal (Secondary)