KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Ruel Reid, will be making a submission to Cabinet to register Jamaica for the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).

“It will measure and compare our excellence with the rest of the world,” Reid said.

The PISA is a triennial international survey which aims to evaluate education systems worldwide by testing the skills and knowledge of 15-year-old students.

Reid gave details during the 10th anniversary magis awards, the CXC edition 2016, held on the grounds of Campion College in St Andrew on January 30.

In 2015, over half a million students, representing 28 million 15-year-olds in 72 countries and economies, took the internationally agreed two-hour test. Students were assessed in science, mathematics, reading, collaborative problem solving and financial literacy.

The minister urged students to explore non-traditional areas of study, adding that studies suggest that traditional jobs will become extinct over time.

“Because technology is displacing current jobs, we have to retool and reorganise to get new jobs within the new industrial revolution,” he added.

In the meantime, he lauded the students for their hard work, which he said will continue in the long tradition of excellence at the institution.

“Your focus and determination to succeed are commendable and need to be emulated,” he said.  

Urging the students to remain focused, the minister said their achievements would not have been possible without strong and forward looking leaders in the school, a team of dedicated and caring teachers, committed and supportive parents, as well as a helpful and strong past students’ association.  

Principal, Campion College, Grace Baston, congratulated the students on their achievements.

The ceremony sought to recognise outstanding performances in the June 2016 CSEC and CAPE examinations. At the CSEC level, 150 students obtained grade one in seven subjects and more, while at the CAPE level, 39 students achieved grade one in four subjects and more.