PM Douglas congratulates students, says Labour Government has increased number of scholarships

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, AUGUST 28TH 2013 (CUOPM) – St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister the Right Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas has joined scores of nationals extending congratulations to the Federation’s students who performed 15 percent in Mathematics and English above the regional average.

“That is a positive reflection on our students, our teachers, our parents, and our educational system, and we should all be very gratified by these results,” said Dr. Douglas, during his weekly radio programme “Ask the Prime Minister.”

He pointed out however that Physics and Applied Mathematics seem not to be among the most popular subjects in St. Kitts and Nevis.

“That, I think we would find to be the case at most high schools anywhere on earth – apart from those schools that cater specially to science and math students. Nonetheless, teachers, parents, and mentors have to find ways to show our young people – from an early age – that even though these subjects may, at first, seem difficult, with practice and diligence, they can become not only manageable, but indeed enjoyable. In addition, they are two subjects that can lead to great possibilities later on,” said Dr. Douglas, who suggested that both Governmental and the private sector devise imaginative and appealing ways to get young people thinking along those lines at an early stage.

He noted also that his St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Government has invested a great deal of time and effort to increase the number of scholarships available to young people.

“As a result, not only will our State Scholar and the next best CAPE student be awarded a scholarship, but so will our best performing student in nursing, in TVET, and in teacher education, all as a part of our determination to ensure that hard work is rewarded, and our young people have access to the type of educational opportunities they crave,” said the Prime Minister who said there were some 25 additional scholarships available to the young people of St. Kitts and Nevis.

He used the opportunity to extend his personal congratulations to the students with the best CAPE and CSEC results.

“I extend to them my own special congratulations, and I know that everyone joins me in extending special words of congratulations to these outstanding CAPE students: Julear Hobson, Kayla Farrell, Deros Frank, Aldeen Isaac, Nicoyann Blackett, Juan Lynch, Leviak Bradshaw, Brenciap Skeete, Taman Martin, Imani Caines, Kha-Lis Farrell, Congratulations to you all.And, of course, equally heartfelt congratulations go out to the following Fifth Formers who produced such outstanding CSEC results as well: Christian Bryden, Jamalje Bassue, Candice Greene, Akila Moore, Zoe Quinlan, Allaric Pennyfeather, Zonique Browne, Sheyjona Bass, Tyler Martin, Omari Daniel, Arnele Francis, Ajani Nisbett, Sanuel Hancock, Hanif Charles, Hasani McDonald, Chavez Lawrence, Blestina Charles, Tehya Fleming, Nicolai Williams, Doodnauth Sarjoo, Jazian Bolus and K’Shanta Reid,” said Prime Minister Douglas.