Minister defends students sitting more than 10 CSEC subjects

Oct 26, 2013 News

While the Ministry of Education has not been actively encouraging students to write as many as 20 subjects, it is certainly not opposed to capable students doing so.

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand

This assertion was made by Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, during a press conference on Thursday at the Ministry’s Brickdam, Georgetown, boardroom. According to her, the Ministry has a clear policy in place which outlines that in order for students to write more than 10 subjects at the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) level they must “show remarkable competence.”
But even before reaching the level of CXC the Minister noted that another requirement is that students be able to pass the National Grade Nine Examination.
And according to her, the fact that we have students writing 20 subjects means they have the capacity to write that many.
“I am not a proponent of the view that says you should shut down talent simply because there is some critics about it…we can’t all run like Usain Bolt but we shouldn’t stop him from running at the pace he is capable of running, and so for me if a student can write five subjects including Mathematics and English and do well at those then they should be encouraged and supported to do that.”
She noted that if students display the propensity to write 20 subjects over a number of years and do well then by all means they too should be encouraged and supported to do those.
The Minister in making her point categorically clear, underscored that students have repeatedly over several decades shown that they have the capacity not only to do well locally but to be catapulted to the level of world leadership.
“…We should never put them in a box…” said the Minister, as she alluded to the fact that even in first world countries while it is expected that students attend college by 18 there are some who are graduating with their degrees by 16. “Where we have students who can excel, encourage them,” emphasised the Minister.
The recently concluded CXC examination saw one local student, Zimeena Rasheed, securing 18 grade one and two grade two passes. Another, Yogeeta Persaud, secured 18 grade one passes.
Both students of the Anna Regina Multilateral School in Region Two have been listed among the top performers at examination and will be duly awarded by CXC.
There are however some who are of the belief that allowing students to undertake so many subjects could in fact prove to be a disadvantage since the resources needed to cater to these added subjects areas could be utilised in more crucial areas.
And while the Minister has accepted that many of the subjects students undertake will become irrelevant by the time they reach ‘A’ Level or university level, she is confident that the exposure will in fact ensure that they have an informed and well-rounded existence. “The state has a responsibility to develop everybody to his fullest potential. If one person’s fullest potential requires (them doing) 20 subjects, then fine,” added the Minister.