Dear Editor,
Nice numbers. Math stats soared; 49% to 63%, a sweet 28.57% in one go, is something to drool over. A bit of bewilderment for me, given that it鈥檚 Math that is involved, and considering the raw materials, the anxieties over the subject. Nevertheless, a 28.57% jump is worth a big hand, and I give it. The biggest round goes to Ms. Tanasha Hope Destiny Mayers, she of the perfect Common Entrance score. With two middle names incorporating faith and confidence, it鈥檚 time for other multiple initialed people like me to take a backseat. Nice numbers, nicely done, Ms. Mayers. The Ministry of Education is commended for these numbers, which gives bragging rights for that other contest where numbers feature even more magnificently. Hear, hear!
For the first time, the stats moved so much in tandem -upward. Considerable devotion to study, tireless efforts from professional educators and amateur helpers in the home. For the first time in a long time, the public schools edged the private schools by a long neck, to snatch the honours of most students making it into the top five schools in Guyana. It is a major milestone, when 492 public school students earned spots into those considered the best local public secondary schools, versus 409 from the private ones. The latter usually have all the advantages, with access to resources being the key. Yet, against those odds, public school students came out ahead. Awesome! Other students should be inspired, and so, too, their folks.
Now, I note that the 63.7% Math level represents those who received more than a 50% score. Again, I take nothing away from the students making that grade; I urge them onward. But I find myself with questions, amid the basking in the glow of these members. A 50% level, distinctive in itself for Math, let that be said, begs the question of how many are closer to that number and range (say 50 to 55, or 60%), than say 65% to 70%? (I plan to look at this statistical jump more closely in a couple). In a country direly in need of Math skills, and for obvious national development reasons, particularly at this time, crossing the 50% threshold calls for some honest and intense examination relative to how much this matters where it counts. That is, at the higher levels, where the going in Math gets grueling. I share the ministry鈥檚 joy, for progress is better than no progress, and it lays the foundation, provides the inspiration, towards greater effort. And, hopefully, greater results. A start has been made, and all those who contributed are due a respectable nod. Good job!
On the English front, I confess to less excitement with the numbers. Sorry, for the damper. Guyana鈥檚 mother tongue is English. While 69.25% of young Guyanese on the cusp of their demanding teenage years score of over 50% in English, may be something to celebrate, I think otherwise. Guyanese, given their linguistic heritage, should be doing way better that what those numbers represent. English is not a second language for Guyanese children. Thus, when approx. 5,000 out of 15,000 of the little ones can鈥檛 make it to 50% in English, then I suggest some sobriety taking hold. Like my take in Math, how many of those who went over 50% actually made it to 55% or 60%, and what does that tell us, if anything? There is appreciation that the year-to-year, or interval to interval, comparisons say much re improvement in Math and English. But 50% is a low bar, and has some bearing on rising to the heights in the next quartile upward.
It took immense effort to get to this year鈥檚 results, but there is so much more work still to be done. A good beginning calls for continuing and building. I neither mention nor question anything that has to do with processes, other than to leave this calling card. Let鈥檚 all be measured with statistics that come out of this country. I have been burned too often either to be blind or casual with these things. The numbers gleam, the highflyers cruise on a cloud of joy, and the supporting cast has good reason to cheer.