Chief Executive Officer of the Child Development Agency (CDA), Rosalee Gage-Grey, said she is pleased with the performance of children in state care in the grades six and nine achievement tests.
She noted that the preliminary results of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination are also encouraging.
Mrs. Gage-Grey was addressing a ceremony to recognise the outstanding performance of wards of the State in the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) and Grade Nine Achievement Test (GNAT), held on August 18 at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston.
Some 160 children sat the examinations this year.
The function, held under the theme ‘Ready, Set, Go’, was aimed at preparing children for the next stage of their academic journey.
“We, at the CDA, believe that education is the key that is going to take our children across the world,” Mrs. Gage-Grey said.
“We believe that each of you in this room represents the future of Jamaica. We are here to support and encourage you. You have demonstrated academic excellence and we expect that you will continue on this path,” she told the children.
Some 450 children have been recognised by CDA for outstanding performance in GSAT since 2013.
Director of Children’s Affairs at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Grace-Ann Stewart McFarlane, congratulated the children and encouraged them to continue doing well when they transition to high school.
She provided tips to help them adjust, and urged them to aim high, set goals and work hard towards achieving them.
“Each of you has a special gift. Get involved in all areas of high school and make it count,” she told the students.
Other speakers included President of the Child Advisory Panel of the CDA, Makeda Palmer; Deputy Chief Education Officer, Lena Buckle-Scott; and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Alison McLean.
Motivational speaker, Dr. Leachim Semaj, conducted a session with parents and guardians on the topic ‘Parenting – the most important job in the nation’.