Christianburg Wismar Secondary School (CWSS) in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) has now joined Mackenzie High as the two institutions in that Region offering Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) for students who have completed their secondary education programme.
With the aim to close the gap in education delivery across Guyana, the Education Ministry noted that the introduction of the institution as a provider of these exams would aid the CAPE programme being offered in that region.
According to the Ministry, the intervention comes at a time when Guyana is expected to experience a ‘purple patch’ with the emerging oil and gas sector, noting that the thrust of Guyana is along the path of the Science, Technology, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) studies. As such, it is important that the schools’
The Christianburg Wismar Secondary School
curricula respond to the needs of society.
The subject areas that will be taught from the beginning of the new academic year in September at the CWSS include geometrical and mechanical engineering drawing, electrical and electronic technology, computer science and Pure Mathematics. This ultimately would lead to an Associate Degree in technical studies from the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC).
Additionally, such pursuits will allow for exemption from courses at the University of Guyana should the students go on to that tertiary institution.
Region 10 has a secondary school population of 4138. While all seven secondary schools are offering the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams, only the senior secondary school, the Mackenzie High School, was offering CAPE.
The CWSS has one of the strongest technical vocational education programmes in Region 10 which is evident in the CSEC results in the technical subjects. The school is equipped with four large workshops and two Information Technology (IT) laboratories to offer a multilateral programme.
Over the past five years, the school has recorded a consistent improvement in student matriculation.
