The Editor
The Anguillian

WHAT REALLY IS
“GRADUATION CRITERIA”?

The 12th of October, 2005 proved to be a joyous occasion for many as 96 out of over 200 students graduated from the A.L.H.C.S.

I was at that ceremony but was forced to be a spectator rather than being part of my own graduation. “Why?” I asked myself…. I did not meet “the A.L.H.C.S. graduation criteria.” But as I beheld those who had met the criteria, I asked myself another question, “What really is the A.L.H.C.S. graduation criterion?”

The criteria clearly states that an attendance of 95% of both form and subject classes are required. Yet students we haven’t seen for practically the entire 5th year were part of the graduation ceremony. It is also required for students to receive at least 50% CXC passes of the subjects they sat. However, there were students present who received 2 out of 6 passes, 3 out of 9 and even worse, none at all…. but they met the graduation criteria. In order to graduate you are allowed no more than 2 suspensions and you must display a good attitude towards your overall schooling. Yet students who were disrespectful to teachers and fellow classmates, trouble makers and constantly fighting were allowed to graduate.

This moves me to my next point. I received the most outstanding CXC result for Social Studies and was therefore awarded for doing so, but I was prohibited from receiving it during the ceremony. My fellow classmate Ms. Shermel Richardson received 9 CXC subject passes and 3 awards and was also prohibited from receiving them during the graduation ceremony. Other fellow students who received 7 passes, 8 passes and 9 passes, who were never suspended, and who attended all subject classes and displayed the right attitude did not meet the graduation criterion. I again ask “WHAT IS GRADUATION CRITERIA ???” Moreover, why aren’t the parents of these non-graduates upset and taking the steps necessary to better this situation?

In closing, I again ask a question to the parents of the students who were to graduate and did not…. to people who are so adamant to fight for their land, why don’t you fight for your children who will one day inherit this land? To the parents who fought for five years to have their children educated, you have nothing to show for it. The reason for this is non-graduates will not receive a diploma and hardly ever receive a transcript to further their education. This in itself is a shame, because we all possess the ability to better ourselves, but are hindered.

While I understand that currently graduation is a privilege, it should be one that can be achieved or attained by all students and not just a select few. Graduation should NOT be a privilege … after completion of high school … it is a right … OUR RIGHT!

Janay Reymond

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