Yahneake Sterling, Staff Reporter

The Women's Centre of Jamaica Foundation has reported that teenage mothers underperformed in Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams.

The Government-run institution reported a 39 per cent decline in passes for its students in 2006 when compared with its near excellent performance in last year's exams.

Beryl Weir, executive director of the Women's Centre, said last year, 95 per cent of the students who sat the exams were successful while this year only 59 per cent attained passing grades. Thirty-eight pupils from the Women's Centre sat the exam last year, compared with 37 this year with passes ranging from grades one to three.

Mrs. Weir noted that poor attendance at classes was the main contributing factor.

"Some students were absent ... also we are dealing with girls who are pregnant, or who have had their babies and sometimes they have clinic days for themselves and the babies," Mrs. Weir told The Gleaner.

However, she says others have no interest, although their examination fees are paid by the Government.

"It's the same attendance pattern we see on their school record," a seemingly distressed Mrs. Weir said.

The weakest subject area, according to Mrs. Weir, is information technology which is affected by poor attendance and other challenges.

Noting that classes at the women's centre are smaller than those in regular high schools, Mrs. Weir said the centre has tried motivational speeches while teachers have tried to make their lessons more interesting for the students.

Teen mothers in schools

1,625 teen mothers were enrolled at the Women's Centre in 2005/2006.

919 were new students.

Of the total, 818 were 16 years and younger.

768 were returned to the formal school system.

- Women's Centre of Jamaica Foundation