Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter

Students leaving the North Street-based Kingston College yesterday. The all-boys institution has experienced record CSEC and CAPE passes this year. - Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer

At a time when only 18 per cent of men are matriculating to the University of the West Indies (UWI), more than 200 boys at Kingston College proved that not all men are failing when they scored 100 per cent passes in their CAPE and CSEC examinations.

Of the 279 boys who sat the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) in May and June this year, 229 passed five or more subjects.

At the CSEC level, the boys got 100 per cent passes in biology, chemistry, electronic document preparation management, integrated science, mechanical engineering technology and religious education.

They also received 98 per cent passes in geography, office administration and principles of business, and 99 per cent for social studies.

For the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) Unit one, the boys scored 100 per cent for chemistry, communications studies, and economics.

And for Unit two they got 100 per cent passes in biology, chemistry, history, literatures in English and sociology.

The three proud vice-principals who shared the information with The Gleaner had nothing but high praises for the teachers who they said were the main drivers behind the boys' success.

"We have dedicated teachers," Juliet Wilson, one of the vice-principals told The Gleaner yesterday.

She noted that the dedication begins at first form as the teachers know everything about the boys.

"Once they don't turn up for classes, the teachers know and will do their investigations," she said.

Everton Burrell, another vice-principal said the teachers are always there for the children. He noted that they are like their second mother and fathers. In fact, on weekends, teachers can be seen in the staff room grading papers or doing some sort of work for the boys.

"It's just the culture here at KC, the teachers are so interested in the boys ...," Ms. Wilson said.

There is also this synergy among the educators, they have a staff club, Karoke evenings among other things.

The excellent CSEC passes have proven a challenge for the sixth form as a large number of students advanced to that level this year. However, the school hired part-time teachers to facilitate the students because they did not want them to pursue studies elsewhere.

Marguerita Hall, another vice-principal said the school's old boys also played a role in the students 'success. She noted that they mentor the boys and support them financially.

Ms. Wilson said most of the boys are from poor families and attended primary schools.

Meanwhile, Paul Jones who gained 10 ones at CSEC said the competition among the boys in his class was a contributing factor to his success. He also described his teachers as "wonderful and perfectionists". Jones is currently in lower six where he is pursuing five CAPE subjects.

Loxley Wallace, another top performer at CSEC said he made many sacrifices to attain the grades he received.

Meanwhile, Chief Education Officer, Jasper Lawrence, said KC was a shining example that boys can succeed. However, he noted that they need conducive situations.

"Perhaps if we had more schools like KC, then more boys would succeed," he said, adding that Jamaica needs to spend more money on its boys for them to perform better.

He noted that boys at other schools such as Cornwall College and Munro College were also performing well. Jamaica College, another all boys institution also saw an improvement in its CAPE results this year.

petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com

Number of students passing at CSEC at Kingston College

11 subjects 1

10 subjects 11

9 subjects 29

8 subjects 47

7 subjects 43

6 subjects 55

5 subjects 43

4 subjects 26

3 subjects 11

2 subjects 10

1 subject 2

0 subject 1