Entrance to Hillel Academy in Cherry Gardens, St Andrew. - Photos by Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

In an effort to globalise the education landscape of its students, Hillel Academy, a private school in Cherry Gardens, St Andrew, has moved away from offering its students the traditional Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE).

Instead, students sit an Interna-tional General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) examination and International Baccalaureate (IB) programme offered by British examination body, Cambridge. The institution began offering the IGCSE three years ago for grades 10 and 11 students. The IB, a two-year diploma programme for sixth-form students, started in September.

A defence mechanism

Peggy Bleyberg, director of the institution, told The Gleaner that the IB programme facilitates students being more rounded. In fact, she explained that students who possess this qualification have a better chance of matriculating to top universities abroad than those with CAPE.

"It is a defence mechanism to look outside to see how Jamaica can better act on the international scene," Bleyberg told The Gleaner about the rationale behind dropping the regional examinations.

She added: "The same old, same old cannot be the answer for everyone. It is never over. The cake is never cooked," Bleyberg told The Gleaner Thursday.

The IB programme places education in an international context and involves programmes that ensure that the students are prepared to compete globally.

When the students complete the programme, it is easier for them to get scholarships to universities abroad and make themselves more marketable in the global workplace.

University centre status

Peggy Bleyberg, director of the institution.

Students sit six subjects and the philosophy of knowledge for the IB programme. They are also required to do a research project and community service.

Hillel this year earned university centre status from the University of Cambridge. This means Hillel will offer a broad range of qualifi-cations available through its University of Cambridge Interna-tional Examinations (CIE).

CIE is the world's largest provider of international qualifi-cations for 14-19-year-olds.

It offers a broad range of qualifications, including IGCSE and International A/AS Level.

CIE qualifications are accepted in 150 countries.

Direct service to students

Bleyberg said this status allows the institution to provide a more direct service to its students.

The director said teachers receive additional training each year. She noted that one of the strong points of the programme was that the institution got feedback from the examining body on how well the students were prepared. This, she said, was also indicative of how well the teachers were doing.

"I am very impressed with the level of commitment of our teachers. They are committed to what's best for their students and are willing to go the extra mile," said Bleyberg.

petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com