After students sit their O Level/CXC examinations, they will be required to attend an additional year of high school beginning in September.
Year 12 students graduating from John Gray High School in 2010 will participate in the annual graduation exercise as usual during the month of June, and current Year 11 students will be invited to a school leaving assembly in the summer term of 2010.
Education Minister Rolston Anglin said the Year 12 programme, to be based at the existing George Hicks campus, is intended to address gaps in the education system that have been identified by educators, parents, employers and students.
“Our goal with the Year 12 programme is to better prepare students of all abilities to continue and enhance their education, to be employable, and to be productive responsible citizens of our society,” he said.
“For some of our children this will mean providing second chances to succeed with their external examinations, for others it will mean academic programmes, which provide higher levels of challenge,” he continued.
“For others it will mean new opportunities in technical and vocational subjects. For all our children it must mean better career assessment, guidance and counselling.”
Among the options for students in the Year 12 programme will be the Cayman Islands Diploma Programme. It will prepare students for university entry while they study for the Advanced Placement International Diploma. Participants will require a minimum of five higher CXC/GCSE passes including English and Mathematics.
For students wishing to improve on their CXC/GCSE grades, or who wish to take additional subjects at this level, there will be a Foundation Studies programme of one-year CXC and GCSE courses. Functional literacy and numeracy programmes will also be available.
The Year 12 programme will also offer technical and vocational programmes, which will be complementary to the current UCCI certificate courses. Courses in Motor Vehicle Studies, Business, IT, Sport and Fitness, and Health and Social Care are all being considered. Students will also be able to access the UCCI certificate courses.
Students may still choose to study ‘A’ levels at the private schools, or the Associate Degree at UCCI.
Most students will also likely be required to spend at least one day per week in work or community service placements.
The Ministry announced that a new Careers Service for secondary students will also be initiated, and that it intends to triple the present specialist careers staff.
Consultation meetings with secondary parents and students will begin within the next two weeks.
“I encourage everyone to participate, to get informed and to share your views,” said Mr. Anglin.
“These are exciting and important changes to our educational system, which have the potential to improve our students’ learning and ultimately their life chances.”
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