Christopher Serju, PORTMORE STAR Writer

Education Minister Ronald Thwaites has commended the staff and board of the Ascot High School in Greater Portmore, St Catherine, for the tremendous strides it continues to make offering high-quality education since opening in 1997.

Ascot High, according to the minister, has demonstrated a tenacity of purpose and commitment to quality that effectively challenges the perception that new schools cannot keep pace with traditional schools.

Addressing a recent ground-breaking ceremony for the school's sixth form, Thwaites was very impressed with the range of advanced subjects to be offered in the new school term come September.

impressive

Delivering the keynote address, the education minister told his audience: "Perhaps the most impressive thing I have seen in my short visit is the range of offerings that you hope to give. This is quite different from the traditional sixth form, and it expresses precisely the policy of the Ministry of Education, which lifts up the traditional subjects that will be offered.

"You will also be offering technical and vocational studies and very significant for me, you will be offering artistic and cultural studies. Why is that so significant?

"Years ago, it was the pattern to think that it was only if you could twang your languages or do the pure sciences that you were really bright. Ascot is offering a different vision, a much more relevant mission of excellence at the sixth-form level. I am encouraging other schools to be mindful of what you are doing here and to consider following this model, which is so relevant."

Thwaites said this was very important in the context of the emerging demands of the 21st century job market, which requires not only academic advancement, but technical and vocational competencies, very often beyond what the current curriculum offers.

He also challenged the school to recognise the valued-added importance of the new step: "It adds a level of responsibility among your student leadership and provides an important sequence for those who have got to Grade 11 to continue their education and advance the whole progress of the school to provide improved outlets for instruction for your teachers, and indeed, for the advanced development of the entire school community."