Education Minister Celebrates Students for Their Attainment

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Preparation, time management, sacrifice, a high level of discipline, pursuit of excellence and determination were the requirements of the high achievers in the 2023 national examinations according to the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin, Minister of Education and Technical and Vocational Training. She said the students’ achievements were not by happenstance and required a lot more than just being “very smart.”

In an address at the National Awards ceremony, Minister Hanna-Martin emphatically stated that the candidates are “truly exceptional young people of whom we are all very proud.”

The annual ceremony by the Examination and Assessment Division of the Ministry of Education and Technical and Vocational Training, recognizes the outstanding achievements of students in the Bahamas Junior Certificate (BJC) and the Bahamas General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) examinations. The 2024 event was held Monday, March 11 at William Johnson Auditorium, Joe Farrington Road.
Among those present were the Hon. Michael Halkitis, Minister of Economic Affairs, and Lorraine Armbrister and Joel Lewis, permanent secretaries. Teachers, senior education officials, family, well-wishers and sponsors also witnessed the occasion.

Minister Hanna-Martin said, “We are really celebrating the achievements, but for me it is the underlying foundational facts which have led to [these] achievements. We’re celebrating these young people and who they are and what they have done and the fruit of their efforts.”

To the young people she said, “We are proud of you. We know that not only are these results a product of who/what you are and what you have given, but [they are] also that of your parents, teachers, an empathetic and extended village and your support community and all those around and this is another way we ensure that our young people succeed.

“We celebrate these young people for their attainment and their essence. Congratulations to all who have poured into and contributed to the flourishing of that essence. We pray that they will go from strength to strength . . . and come back wherever they end up … and put their hand to the till in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas so we can make it the nation that we know it must be.”

She singled out these  achievers for their outstanding performances:

– Zante Ferguson of H. O. Nash Junior High School, Best BJC results in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas – 12As.  She also received Subject Awards for Family and Consumer Science and Literature.
– Avnaly Alceres, a former student of Jack Hayward Senior High School, received the Marjorie Davis Award for Best Overall Performance in the BGCSE examination in Government Schools – 5As, 2 Bs
– Cherkadin Wells, a student of Queen’s College, who received the Carol Hanna Award for Best Overall Performance in the 2023 BGCSE examinations in independent schools and the Paul L. Adderley Award for Best BGCSE Overall Performance in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas – 14 As, 1 B.

Students of government schools received a standing ovation for tying for Overall Best BJC Results:

Eric Fox of NGM Major High School – 8 As, 1B
Quade McPhee of H. O. Nash Junior High School – 8 As, 1 B
Carnis Higgs of H. O. Nash Junior High School – 8 As, 1 B
Darnel Ferdinand of S. C. McPherson Junior High School – 8 As, 1 B
Kassidy Burrows of Exuma Christian Academy received the award for Best Overall Performance for BJC results in Independent Schools – 9As, 1B, 1C.

Students who have achieved a minimum of 5 A’s in the BJC and BGSCE were recognized in the category Honourable Mention.

Students receiving the highest mark at Grade A in various subjects for BJCs and BGCSEs were awarded.

Students receiving the best results on the island (at least 4 subjects at D and above) for BJC and BGCSE examinations were recognized.

The audience clapped with approval and stood to their feet as the mother of the late Dario Rahming, former head boy of Queen’s College High School, who passed away in October 2023, accepted an award on his behalf.

The prizes included plaques, gifts from corporate sponsors and incentives from the Ministry of Education and Technical and Vocational Training.