Denbigh Scores Big in CSEC Math

The Clarendon-based Denbigh High School has reaped success from measures implemented last year to help students develop a love for mathematics and to improve passes in the subject.

With strong support from the Parent-Teachers Association (PTA), a programme was put in place, which included intensive tutorials, and a Math Day.

The efforts paid off with the school scoring 67 per cent passes in math in the 2014 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, a significant improvement over the 42 per cent pass rate in 2013.

The school is now ranked first in mathematics among all the newer high schools in Jamaica, having the highest passes in the subject at CSEC and at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) level.

Principal of the school, Kasan Troupe, is crediting the success to the work of the 17 teachers, who gave free of their time to tutor the students. She is also hailing the invaluable contribution of Senior Medical Officer at the May Pen Hospital, Dr. Bradley Edwards, who volunteered his services to offer instruction in math.

“We asked our teachers to stay back for an extended time, and our PTA gave the support for that. Our teachers don’t charge the kids; we get one hour of math and English, every week,” she informed.

She outlined that the PTA’s support was in the form of refreshments, and other items that were needed for the tutorials.

The Principal said the math progrmme is continuing as the objective is to ensure that every Grade 11 student passes at least five subjects.

“The teachers are willing to volunteer. We will have, in a couple of year’s time, all our students passing with no less than five subjects,” she said.

The math programme is among initiatives by the school’s leadership, over the last several years, to improve academic performance of students.

Under the leadership of former Principal, Joan Wint, Denbigh High was rebranded and facilities upgraded, including the science laboratory. The school has since been steadily improving in the area of academics.

The institution is ranked as having the number one sixth form programme, among the recently established high schools island-wide, with 100 per cent passes in six CAPE subjects last year.