The Editor, Sir:

I recently attended the 64th annual graduation exercise of the Kingsway High School situated on Osbourne Road in St. Andrew. It is good to note, sir, that 50 per cent of the class of 34 graduates were boys. This was rather impressive, hence, worthy of attention, when from all appearances, our boys seem to be getting lost in our education system. As a teacher educator, I have observed, read the literature and heard it reported that boys are being outperformed by girls in academic pursuits. Usually, those classes which have so many boys fall into either of two groups: (1) performing below average, or (2) belonging to a boys' school.

This observation was not lost on the Dean of the College of Education and Behavioural Sciences at Northern Caribbean University, Dr. Teran Milford. In awarding two scholarships to Northern Caribbean University, Dr. Milford pointed to the percentage of boys in the graduating class, lauded their significant achievement and encouraged and challenged them to continue in the same vein toward their goal. In addition, he commended Kingsway High School for the spiritual approach which characterises its educational structure, suggesting that this was significant in the success of the boys.

One of the scholarships was awarded to the male student with the highest GPA - Oraine Swaby - who, interestingly, was among the youngest in the class. The other scholarship was awarded to the most outstanding female student, who was the students' association president, Danielle Thomas.

The entire performance of this class was exemplary and the school, under the direction of principal Mrs. Claudette Genas, and her dedicated faculty and other staff must be commended.

The student speakers who took part in the exercise were awesome and this substantiates the fact that our boys have the capacity to excel and will do so if they are supported by parents, and an education system which addresses their individual and collective needs and interests.

I am, etc.,

Heather Smith

Sherwood

Head, Education Department

Bethlehem Moravian College

heathersher@hotmail.com