Minister Boyce praised for GSAT improvement

The 78.4 percent in GSAT results, the highest it has ever been in almost a decade, has been attributed to the work of former minister of education, youth and sport, Hon. Dr. Lillian Boyce.

Addressing GSAT top achievers and their parents in Providenciales on June 29, at the Williams Auditorium, Minister of Education, Youth and Sport, Hon. Dr. Carlton Mills said the educational turf was laid by his predecessor Hon. Boyce resulting in the remarking scores posted by the students.

This year the government schools outperformed their private counterparts, taking seven of the ten GSAT places. And according to Dr. Mills, one of his administration‟s thrust was to make the public schools the envy of private schools, which he said was bearing fruits in a big way.

“This year we returned 78.4 percent in GSAT passes, this is effort made by the former minister of education, based on the policies that she has implemented,” Dr. Mills said, to tumultuous cheers. According to Dr. Mills, Oseta Jolly recorded a 65.15 percent pass mark, Enid Capron 67 percent, while Ianthe Pratt scored a 78.8 percent pass mark.

However, despite the telling GSAT passes recorded by the public schools this year, Dr. Mills deemed it a bit premature to draw a parallel between both entities.

“Our government schools took seven out of the ten top spots, and it the aim of Government to make the government schools to be the envy of the private schools. The government schools have performed well, but I will not compare them yet with the private schools,” he said.

The Education Minister also congratulated the Abundant Life Ministries International-run Whole Gospel Christian Academy, which posted a pass mark of 94.74. Of the 19 students entered, 18 were successful. He also congratulated Provo Christian School, which scored an 80 percent pass mark.

Dr. Mills also showered praises on the teachers, especially the ones from the public schools, whom he said underwent tremendous tasks in preparing the children for the examinations. He noted that no praise was too high for them.

Turning to the parents, Dr. Mills encouraged them to support their children from preschool to college. He told them that even though graduation was important for their children, it was not the only time in their lives that they should make the best effort to show that they were interested in them.

“I want to encourage you to be there for your children. Don‟t wait until graduation time to show up and pack this auditorium. Be there every day for your children. Go to the school, visit the school, don‟t listen (only) to the tale that your child and children come home with,” Dr. Mills said.

Added Dr. Mills: First, take that child or those children to the school and find out exactly what the situation is before you run your mouth,” Dr. Mills charged.

He also urged the wider community to care for the children even if they did not belong to that person biologically. He encouraged adults to ensure that children do not become wayward, and if they saw any child roaming the streets at night to send them home, reminding them of the popular phrase – „It takes a village to raise a child‟.