Topic: Department of Education Services
From beginners to Beethoven: Starlight’s young musicians take to the stage
Musical stars of the future took to the stage at John Gray High School to perform classical and contemporary pieces after an afternoon of workshops.
MPs hope lessons are learned over George Hicks refurbishment spend
MPs have raised concerns over the cost and execution of the refurbishment of the former George Hicks high school campus, saying that there should have been greater oversight regarding how fast the project was progressing and how much needed to be done.
Student found carrying knife on bus to Red Bay Primary School
A student was found in possession of a knife while travelling on the bus to Red Bay Primary School on the morning of Thursday, 20 Nov.
Trends show growing demand for Cayman public schools
Cayman sees surge in public school demand as enrollments, performance, staffing and confidence rise.
Inter-primary netball rally makes a return
The inter-primary netball one-day rally, which last ran in 2023, made its return this year with nine under-9 and a dozen under-11 teams.
Dates announced for new academic year for government schools
The Department of Education Services has released the start dates for the 2025/2026 academic year for all government schools.
Tyler Dykstra is Young Musician of the Year
Cayman Prep and High School student Tyler Dykstra, 14, has been named the Young Musician of the Year, besting seven secondary students
New Government High School Scholars recognised
Three young Caymanians have joined a growing list of 'Government High School Scholars' recognised by the Ministry of Education.
New CIFEC plan splits classes between two sites
Education officials have announced a temporary solution for Cayman Islands Further Education Centre students which will see classes divided between two locations and a shift teaching system starting 16 Sept.
CIFEC relocation uncertainty leaves parents’ concerned
Parents and students completed registration for the new CIFEC school term, even as the location for formal classes remained unconfirmed.
As school year begins, CIFEC relocation yet to be confirmed
Months after asbestos was confirmed at the Cayman Islands Further Education Centre, officials are working to secure alternative locations to teach students during the 2024/25 school year, which is already under way.
Winning performers showcase talents at Festival of the Arts concerts
More than 100 students across the Cayman Islands showcased their award-winning performances from the National Children's Festival of the Arts during final concerts held earlier this month.
Primary school sensory room aims to boost student well-being
Community leaders have described a new sensory room at Sir John A. Cumber Primary School as a playground for the senses.
Theoline McCoy Primary wins first-ever NCFA platinum award
Theoline L. McCoy Primary School has earned the first-ever platinum award for their traditional folk dance performance, during the final competition of the 2024 annual National Children’s Festival of the Arts.
Two-thirds of primary school students falling short in reading, writing and maths
Students made some gains in their scores for the 2022-23 academic year compared to a previous education report but struggled in other areas.
End-of-term school days lengthened to make up shortfall
Students and parents will have to start their Easter holiday slightly later as the end-of-term half-day has been changed to a full day.
Clifton Hunter to reopen after ‘major leak’ in AC system
Clifton Hunter High School will resume classes on Tuesday after repairs to a major leak in the underground pipes carrying chilled water to the air-conditioning system were completed on Monday.
Adjudications held for National Children’s Festival of the Arts 2024
The Department of Education Services held secondary school adjudications for the 41st staging of the annual National Children's Festival of the Arts this week, 4-6 March.
‘Exculpate’ spells victory for Brac student
Tsuwana Augustine, a 10-year-old student from Creek and Spot Bay Primary School, won the 2023 RBC Royal Bank Primary National Spelling Bee on Tuesday, nailing the word 'exculpate'.
New education staffer under investigation for ‘serious sexual assault’
A newly hired school support staff member has been bailed pending further inquiries following an allegation of serious sexual assault made against him by a teenage girl, police have confirmed.
Education report exposes massive failings
A newly published education report has revealed damning statistics on attainment and attendance in government primary and secondary schools in the Cayman Islands.
Answers sought as Red Bay teacher reinstated after misconduct allegations
A Red Bay Primary School teacher removed last year following the launch of an investigation into alleged misconduct by staff members towards students, returned to the school on Monday, 7 Nov., without any official explanation.
Students at three Brac schools test positive for COVID
Students in three Cayman Brac schools have tested positive for COVID-19, prompting education officials to remind the public and the student population to adhere to Public Health guidelines.
Student Registration for 2022/2023 Academic Year Set to Begin in April
The Department of Education Services (DES) reminds all parents and guardians that registration of students for the 2022/2023 academic year commences on 1 April 2022.
John Gray school fight under investigation
An internal investigation has been launched at John Gray High School into brawl involving a group of students this week, the Department of Education Services confirmed Thursday afternoon.
Back to school: Return to classrooms on track for Monday
Government schools are on track to reopen as normal Monday Education Services Director Mark Ray has confirmed.
Education boss stands by mask mandate for schools
Despite resistance in some quarters, Director of the Department of Education Services Mark Ray is standing by the decision to mandate masks in schools for students age 5 and above.
The Resh Hour with Mark Ray, Department of Education Services
Director of the Department of Education Services Mark Ray joins Compass journalist Reshma Ragoonath to discuss the recent outbreaks in schools, new COVID guidelines and mask mandates.
Space not the issue in school segregation
No non-Caymanian children were turned away from public schools in the Cayman Islands because of capacity issues in the past academic year.
School bus collision in Frank Sound; four taken to hospital
Four people were transported to hospital Monday morning following a collision involving a school bus and another vehicle in Frank Sound.
Tardy exam results complicate Year 12 entry
Year 12 students will begin the 2020-21 school year before the results of their external exams, such as CXC examinations, become available, advised the Department of Education Services on Friday.
Government schools release key dates for start of school year
The Department of Education Services has released a schedule of key dates and important activities for the upcoming start of the new academic year.
School registration continues for 2020/21 year
Registration is ongoing for the 2020/21 school year, scheduled to begin 26 Aug.
Education roundup: Minister outlines school reopening plan
Minister of Education Juliana O’Connor-Connolly appeared alongside several of her colleagues during the 26 June government press conference to address questions about reopening Cayman’s schools.
Education ministry to track student ‘learning loss’
The Ministry of Education is implementing methods of tracking 'learning loss' for students who have spent the last several weeks being schooled at home during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Two men killed in separate road incidents
A motorcyclist and a pedestrian were killed hours apart in two separate road collisions in Bodden Town.
Student test scores show more work needs to be done
Preliminary test results show Year 11 Cayman students improving over last year while Year 6 scores declined.
School opening, orientation and test dates announced
Summer is on the wane and, with it, summer vacation. School is set to restart 27 Aug.
New school year starts in two weeks
The new school year starts on the week beginning 26 Aug., the Department of Education Services has announced.
Parents of special needs students in limbo
When Janet Dixon’s daughter was entering Year 3 at Bodden Town Primary, she had already been assessed by the Department of Education Services as having special education needs. The department recommended she receive additional help.
Governance change looming for schools
In his recent strategic policy statement to the Legislative Assembly, Premier Alden McLaughlin outlined a move to decentralise control away from the Ministry of Education and Department of Education Services.
Head of education takes new post at ministry
Changes in leadership have taken place at the Ministry of Education during January.
Investigation launched into school bus hitting dog
Education authorities have launched an investigation into an incident in which a school bus apparently struck a dog. A student on board the bus, which was transporting Clifton Hunter High School students, filmed the injured dog and posted the video to social media.
Teacher pleads not guilty to indecent assault
A high school teacher appeared in Grand Court on Friday, when he pleaded not guilty to charges relating to a girl under the age of 16.
Grand Cayman schools hit by disease outbreak
An outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease that surfaced a few weeks ago is still affecting some schools on Grand Cayman.
EDITORIAL – East End parents put primary school in ‘time out’
While we don’t endorse their methods and means of dealing with this particular issue, we certainly applaud these parents for engaging actively, and yes, passionately, in the education of their children.
New legislation intended to prevent terrorist financing
Government currently has no idea about how many nonprofit organizations operate in the territory, according to Ministry of Financial Services and Home Affairs Policy Officer Wilbur Welcome. Such lack of information is a problem for a jurisdiction susceptible to being used for terrorist financing and other nefarious activities, he said.
7 percent of students pass math exam re-sits
Just 13 out of 189 students achieved a “level 2 pass” in math exam re-sits in 2016, according to results from the Cayman Islands Further Education Centre.
School exam results stagnant
Exam performance in Cayman’s schools has remained stagnant over the last three years, according to results in national education data reports published last month.
Registration for government schools begins next month
The registration for students enrolling in, or transferring to government schools in Cayman for the 2017/2018 school year will open on Monday, April 3, and will close on Friday, June 30, the Department of Education Services advises.
Young Musician of the Year award finalists meet at luncheon
The finalists for the annual Butterfield Young Musician of the Year award met for an informal luncheon hosted at Butterfield Place in George Town on March 6.
Fun at the forefront for new school behavioral program
Students and staff at West Bay’s Sir John A. Cumber Primary School last week had a kickoff party to mark the launch of a program aimed at reinforcing good behavior. The new government-backed Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports Framework event was attended by Education Minister Tara Rivers and other ministry representatives.
Fidel’s raises $950 for primary school program
A Christmas Karaoke Night at Fidel Murphy’s raised about $950 for Stepping Stones, the government program that helps primary school students with emotional or social difficulties reintegrate into traditional schools.
John Gray teacher acquitted of indecent assault loses job
A John Gray High School teacher who was found not guilty of indecent assaults on students has lost his job at the school, officials confirmed. The teacher, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was unanimously acquitted last month on charges that he had assaulted three female students.
Concern over mold at West Bay school
Debris and broken playground equipment is being cleared and air quality tests carried out at the Sir John A. Cumber Primary School in West Bay following complaints from parents, education officials said this week. Images of broken swings, slides and a water fountain were posted on Facebook by parent Sarah Orrett, who is listed on the school’s website as vice president of the PTA.
School exams moving to computers in 2017
Filling in little circles on the Scantron sheet with a No. 2 pencil will be a thing of the past for students in Cayman government secondary schools. Starting in January, the Caribbean Examination Council tests will be giving all its Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate multiple choice exams on computers.
Young musician finalists to perform at Prospect Playhouse Theatre
The Young Musician of the Year competition is coming to a head this Saturday at the Prospect Playhouse Theatre.
Government school registration opens
Registration for students enrolling in or transferring to government schools for the 2016-2017 school year opens Tuesday and will close on June 24.
