Education minister honours top PEP performer at Park Mountain Primary in St Elizabeth

The Minister of Education has visited Park Mountain Primary School to congratulate the school’s top-performing student in this year’s Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examination, marking an achievement that has drawn praise from the student’s family, teachers, and classmates.

The visit went beyond a routine congratulatory stop. Officials used the occasion to highlight the pupil’s hard work, determination, and academic excellence, and to encourage other students to pursue similar success.

The minister said the achievement was especially meaningful given the challenges facing rural schools and the impact of the hurricane on St Elizabeth. Many institutions struggle, the minister noted, while others gain wide recognition; yet strong teaching, leadership, and community commitment can still produce outstanding results in less prominent areas.

“When I saw that the highest ranked primary student came from this school, I was very happy because I know St Elizabeth was really affected by the hurricane,” the minister said. “To see the resilience of this particular school is amazing. When I visited the last time, they were talking about things they were doing, the mathematics initiatives, the English initiatives, and then to come and see the results of all of those programs is amazing.”

The minister also commended the young achievers and their parents, stressing that close cooperation between home and school remains central to student progress. Conversations with the head boy and head girl — the latter identified as the number one primary student — reinforced that view.

“What I’ve learned from interacting with the head boy and the head girl who is that number one primary student is that success can be had in our schools where we put in the initiatives,” the minister said. “Also, the parents are very involved. The PTA is here and involved and that says a lot. You have the school with excellent leadership. You have excellent teachers. You have a community that is involved. That is how we get success.”

Teaching staff received praise as well, described as dedicated and committed educators whose work has helped place grade six pupils on paths to well-regarded secondary schools.

“As I went around and talked to the grade six students, everybody was going to an elite school,” the minister told the principal. “You have done fantastic as principal. I know school does well without good leadership.”

For students watching the visit, officials said it underscored how persistence and focus can open doors to opportunity. The minister also urged pupils preparing for future examinations to stay disciplined and to draw fully on support from teachers and family.