Blacspade encourages students sitting regional exams

Blacspade is encouraging students sitting the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) tests to strive for excellence, despite obstacles, and to believe that success is in their favour.

"This is not a time to look back at the past and the hurdles you have encountered, but to keep your eyes on your goals in life. Set your standards high, which means to aim for the full 100. So when you leave the examination room you can rest assured you have done your best," he said. "I have made many mistakes in schools, for which I have to taken full responsibility. At the end of the day, the result will show the quality of work you have invested, prior to the examinations."

Each year more than 100, 000 students sit CSEC, while candidates sitting the CAPE are trending about 35,000. Figures from the Caribbean Examination Council show that the number of students sitting both is declining. In 2021 some 27, 750 students were registered to sit the CAPE exam compared to 30,498 in 2020. In CSEC, the trend is the same with 103, 445 registered to sit the examination in 2021 compared to 122, 248 in 2020

Despite this, student performance is said to be improving in both examinations in Jamaica. According to the Ministry of Education and Youth, on CSEC results in Jamaica, 35, 31 students from public school registered, of which 33,664 (94.7 per cent) sat the exams, 28,312(84.1.per cent) passed at least one subject at grades one to three.

"Parents have invested a lot in your education. Teachers have worked very hard to ensure we have some of the best doctors, nurses, carpenters in the world. So, study hard to enrich our nation in all areas, including our culture," said Blacspade, given name Wade Douglas.

Blacspade's latest project is Love Over All Things, one of six songs on 'Thuz Chemist Royal Plus' rhythm. The project includes Passion Minott's Trim Trim Trim, Jahvante Campbell's Cry Peace and Magona 's Mend and Blend Again.