Students of Manning's School look through literature that Sangster's Book Stores had on display in their school's library, as part of the Ministry of Education's Read Across Jamaica Programme last year. - file photos

WESTERN BUREAU:

Several of the nation's schools have implemented an honour roll system to encourage academic excellence.

Claudette Morrison, the vice-principal of Manning's School in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, said her school introduced the system two years ago.

Eighty-four students, 59 being girls, made the honour roll for 2007-2008, with six students from this group making the list for the second time in a row.

The students are chosen from those who score at least 85 per cent or more (from 7-11 grade) and 80 per cent or more (for upper and lower sixth forms) for their half-term grades.

Achievers Board

"When the students make the honour roll we put their names and photographs on what we call our 'Top Achievers Board', and it stays there until our next set of honour roll students are named," Morrison told The Gleaner.

She added that the students are also recognised publicly at the school's general assembly. This, she said, is a motivational boost for them.

"After going through school for five years, not many people get the opportunity to go on the platform for recognition, and the fact that they get their photos on the Top Achievers Board, I think this is something they work towards," she said.

Those who make the honour roll consistently are also given trophies during the school's annual awards ceremony. In order to maintain the school's tradition of academic excellence, and to ensure that each student is given an equal opportunity to make the honour roll, the school hosts study skills seminars each year.

Morrison