PEP in their step

THEY ARE among the top performers in this year’s Primary Exit Profile (PEP) exams, but through no fault of their own, their accomplishments will never be fully recognised as their identities cannot be told.

No names, no photos, just another nuance of living in state care among the island’s most vulnerable. Most have been abused in some form, others are orphans, while some have been deemed too problematic for parental control.

Yet despite their odds, 185 of these children completed their PEP exams, some matriculating into traditional high schools far beyond their expectations and their guardians’. Yesterday, they were celebrated as heroes.

“To tell you the truth, how he behaves in the yard, it didn’t look like he was doing anything at school, you know. That boy would watch television from the daytime go straight through the night. And it doesn’t make any sense you tell him to take up a book,” reacted Lastriana Marrett, who identified herself as a foster grandmother for Ricardo*, a past student of Alpha Primary School.

“I was so frightened when they told me he topped the region and is going to that school. I told them, ‘No, man. They made a mistake.’ But I am so proud of him. I am very happy for him when I remember how he used to drag himself and go on. I don’t have words ‘cause he gives a lot of talking,” said Marrett.

Come September, Ricardo, who had the top score among all children in state care, with a score of 320, will be taking his seat at Jamaica College, and despite his excellent grades, he is bent on becoming a professional footballer. The maximum mark for the PEP exam is 360.

In fact, most of his time is spent reading books about great footballers like ‘Pele’ and less about academia, which, seemingly, comes easily for him except for communication tasks, which he said was the hardest part of PEP for him.

“I’m not really a big communicator, and because of that, I don’t think I write very well,” offered the soft-spoken and shy boy, whose parents are both dead.

“My favourite part of it was the language and mathematics. I really like mathematics,” he said, outlining his formula for success.

Take notes, bring your own books, copy the greatest information, and always balance your time between playing football and studying, was his advice to the primary school students slated to do the exams next year.

Ricardo was lauded during a Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) PEP Workshop and Awards Ceremony. Of the 185 children, 94 students received a score of 210 points or higher.

Among the awardees were 75 boys and 110 girls, all of whom benefited from an annual $40 million spent on education for wards up to the tertiary level by the CPFSA. Yesterday’s event featured a workshop for children as well as one for parents and guardians at the Jamaica Conference Centre.

For the North East region, the top boy will attend St Mary High, and the top girl, Brown’s Town High. For the South East Region, the top boy, Ricardo, will attend JC, and the top girl will attend Hampton High.

For the Southern region, the top boy will attend Munro College, and the top girl will attend Bishop Gibson High; and for the Western Region, the top boy is slated to attend Green Island High, and the top girl will take her place at Rusea’s High School.

The top boy and girl received a trophy and $25,000 courtesy of the Jamaica National Bank.

For Althea Wright, the foster mother of Tatianna*, her remarkable performance, which topped the CPFSA’s southern region, was not surprising. Despite not having a biological mother, a father who is unknown, and not being able to read in grade three, Wright said Tatianna improved very quickly to take top honours.

“I feel really good, and I say that because I know she has some hidden talents that have been brought out since she has been living with me,” said Wright. “She sings well, she dances well, and she also entered Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) competition and debating.

“She is just about everything and she did extremely well. So that gave me the feeling and drive even though her personality is so different from others. But I think every child is different, and I just love her so much,” laughed a proud Wright, recalling her resolve to ensure an eager Tatianna learned to read.

Nothing was left undone, she said, adding that the child was hungry to learn.

“I studied very hard, especially on my Mental Ability, and so in graduation, I got the top marks as the overall students. It was a bit challenging for me because my critical thinking is not at a stable point, but I tried my best, and when I heard, I actually cried,” said Tatianna, who has hopes of soaring the skies.

“I would like to be a pilot because I would like to fly with my family for free. I also think it will show that I am a person who is very determined and also a person that anything I put my mind to I can do my best to achieve it.”

*Name changed to protect student’s identity

corey.robinson@gleanerjm.com