UWI student helps teens prepare for exams

In an attempt to assist CSEC and CAPE students with exam preparations, Raheem McDonald, 22, decided to host online classes for those who have had challenges grasping syllabus concepts.

"The classes act as a medium to connect students with teachers. There are students who might not be able to understand certain things on their own, since they have been home because schools being closed due to COVID," McDonald told THE STAR.

McDonanld, who is currently pursuing his bachelor's degree in computer science and Spanish at The University of the West Indies, said he has been assisting students with Spanish for about a year.

"But in the WhatsApp group, the students kept asking about other subjects, like math and so on," he said. "So I thought to myself and came up with a way to expand and help them even more."

Lesson guides

He then sourced teachers who would be qualified in other subject areas to see what materials they could provide to help the students.

"They came on board and sent me some study notes and lesson guides," he said. "I posted them on the Instagram page and students took on to it so much, before I knew it, the page blew up, especially since exams started, because students need the help."

Initially, about 500 persons were a part of the community, but there are now more than 2,500, with 70 teachers sharing materials and hosting classes. McDonald conducts his Spanish classes via Zoom and Instagram Live on the weekends.

"Other teachers who are a part of the group would reach out to me and inform me that they are hosting marathons, and I inform the students via the page," he said. "So that is how we keep it alive. Sometimes the Zoom meetings can't even hold all the students, but they are very grateful for the help; that is what really motivates me to keep going."