BY KIMMO MATTHEWS Observer Staff reporter matthewsk@jamaicaobserver.com Friday, June 19, 2015
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| Students at Jessie Ripoll celebrate as they are told over the school’s intercom system which high schools they will attend come September. |
CHEERS, tears and, in some instances, howls of disappointment from students and parents alike greeted the release yesterday of Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) results at schools across the Corporate Area.
From as early as 8:00 am, parents were seen at the gates of several schools, eagerly waiting to hear at which high school their children were placed.
At Jessie Ripoll Primary, tensions were high leading up to the 1:00 pm time slot when the principal, Marcia Detry Fogah, promised that she would announce the grades on the school's intercom.
As the bell rang, there was silence on the school grounds when the names of the students were read.
Tanya Barrette broke down in tears as she heard that her daughter, Tanashae Barrett, was able to secure perfect scores and was selected to attend the school of her choice, Campion College.
"I am so proud, words cannot explain," said the mother.
Her husband, Vincent, shared similar sentiments.
"The results today are just the accumulation of hard work and dedication," said Vincent who hails from the community of Manley Meadows.
His neighbour, Norman Baxter, was equally pleased.
"From before the results came out I was confident that my daughter, Kiona, would do well," said Baxter.
As the celebrations continued, Alison Hylton, a mother, stood in a corner looking nervous.
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| Principal of Dunrobin Preparatory, Karen Golbourne, gives Kenrique Stewart a hug after she emerged as one of the top GSAT performers at the school. At right: A happy moment for a student and her mother at Jessie Ripoll. |
"Mi hear dem say him get selected for a good school, but I don't know which one," Hylton said of her son.
Minutes later, the boy turned up crying, as he was not selected for the school of his choice.
"I told him that nothing was wrong with the school and he just have to work hard," said the mother as she tried to comfort her child.
Meanwhile, at other sections of the school grounds parents were seen running with open arms to meet and greet their children.
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| Another top performer, Kiona Baxter of Jessie Ripoll, with her parents and sibling wearing broad smiles after receiving the good news. (PHOTOS: BRYAN CUMMINGS) |
Principal Fogah told the Jamaica Observer that, compared to last year, teachers have seen a marked improvement in grades.
"We, as teachers, are all proud of the students and even the parents who all contributed towards the effort," said Fogah.
At Dunrobin Primary, things were not as calm with parents who were left fuming at the gates, claiming that the principal was taking too long to release the results.
"From morning we come here and all now we don't hear the schools that the children were selected for. We are not pleased with how the principal is treating us," said one parent.
Principal Noel Watt shared a different story.
"Part of our aim is to ensure that the results are handed out in an orderly and disciplined manner," said Watt.
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