Louise Bennett-Coverley Primary: Gaining PEP success for 11 boys
Published:Friday | June 27, 2025 | 3:26 AMSashana Small/Staff Reporter
Ladaina Stewart-Atkins recognised early on that her son, Nathaniel Atkins, had learning challenges. Although she said he was a “brilliant child”, he struggled with writing and reading, so she sought help by sending him to summer school and arranging extra classes.
However, it was only after he was placed in an all-boys class at Louise Bennett-Coverley Primary School that she noticed significant improvement in his school work and behaviour.
“Every child learns different and probably with persons with similar challenges it is easier for them to relate and to learn than to be in a class that is much faster and then you get lost in the system,” Stewart-Atkins said.
The co-ed institution, located in Gordon Town, St Andrew, separated a group of boys who had learning and behavioural challenges and placed them in a classroom by themselves in the 2022-2023 academic year.
The boys were in grade four and were preparing to sit the first test in the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examinations.
Principal Sheena Taylor-Morgan explained that the programme was designed to facilitate the delivery of teaching instruction tailored for the boys’ PEP exam. It also had a mentorship component in grade six, led by the school’s alumni ambassador, Ockino Leslie.
Lauding the boys’ performance, the principal noted that all 11 boys were placed in a school of choice.
Three of the boys attained proficient in one subject in grade five; while five of the boys attained proficient in two or more subjects in grade six. In grade five, all the students had one or more beginning on their profiles. By grade six only three of the boys attained beginning on their profile. Additionally, only one boy is at the beginner level for mathematics in grade six.
“This is what you call adding value – moving our students from where they were academically to a point of marked improvement. We are not only about high school placement, but also the value that we add to every student under our care,” Taylor Morgan said.
Nathaniel will be attending Mavis Bank High School in the area, and his mother, who is from Guava Ridge in St Andrew, said she couldn’t be prouder of her son.
“I am happy for Nathaniel. He has struggled a lot with education and reading and understanding the work and, for his pass to Mavis Bank High School, I am elated about it. The work has just begun and I believe, with help, he can accomplish anything that he wants,” Stewart-Atkins said.
Tasheka Willis was visibly excited as she joined Odane Morrison in taking pictures of their son, Javoney Morrison.
POSITIVE CHANGES
The proud mother commended the school for implementing this programme which she said has yielded many positive changes in her son.
“Javoney was playing a lot and not paying any attention in the bigger class with the other kids, and when [it was suggested] I was so happy because when him go over there him improve a lot,” she said. “Him pick up pon him classroom, him a read properly, spell properly, 100 per cent satisfied.”
Morrison also had similar applause for the programme, crediting it for helping his only child to settle down in school.
“Mi see a lot of improvement. When him go grade five him come first, grade six and him come first, and den him a leave now and him still come first. Mi proud of him,” he said.
In September, Javoney will be attending Papine High School, and the Mavis Bank resident said he is looking forward to “just do mi best”.
Twelve-year-old Ijah Burke was placed at Charlie Smith High School in St Andrew. His mother, although feeling proud of his accomplishment, is hoping to be able to transfer him to a school closer to their home in Mount Industry.
She explained that Ijah, who is the last of her four children, has epilepsy and she would like the peace of mind of his being closer to home.
Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon, minister of education, skills, youth and information, who was guest speaker at the graduation, encouraged the 28 students moving on to high school to maintain discipline, choose their friendships wisely and respect authority.
Meanwhile, Leslie said he is anticipating that the boys will continue to build on their progress.
“My hope for them is for them to continue on the path they are on, and continue to develop, continue to grow, continue to engage because it’s the start of a new journey, and it will be a more challenging stage of their life, so they have to be actively focused. And don’t forget what Louise Bennett taught them to do, aim high,” he said.