Dominic Goode, Kailey Stewart and Aaliyah McLawrence are among the latest students from Kemet Maasai Academy to successfully complete the stage three City & Guilds examinations, an achievement the school says reflects its mission to foster academic excellence from a young age.

The internationally recognised British examinations are considered comparable to the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations offered locally and regionally. Eleven-year-old Dominic earned a distinction in mathematics and a merit in English language, while 11-year-old Kailey secured merits in both English language and mathematics. Twelve-year-old Aaliyah earned a pass in English language.

Principal Kamau Mahakoe said the students’ achievements are part of the institution’s long-standing mission to identify, nurture and harness the potential of children from a young age.

“It’s great because this is my mission. When I observe the actual grade 11 students who come to me for extra lessons, or let’s say even from grades nine, 10 [and] 11, when they come to me for extra lessons, they struggle so much, especially in maths, and I can see that the foundation is just not there. The onus is on me as a teacher here at my school; I want to ensure that when my students leave my school, the foundation is solid,” said Mahakoe.

She emphasised that the children excelling is not a one-off event, pointing to students who, over the years, have achieved similar success. Mahakoe said just last year two students — Jair James and Pure Robinson — successfully completed two exams at the CSEC level, two stage three City & Guilds courses, and their Primary Exit Profile (PEP) assessments.

Pure got a grade two in CSEC mathematics and a grade three in CSEC English language. For his stage three City & Guilds exams, he received a merit in mathematics and a pass in English language. He is currently a student at Cedar Grove High.

Meanwhile, Jair received a distinction in his City & Guilds mathematics exam and a pass in English. He also received two grade threes in mathematics and human and social biology at the CSEC level. Jair is currently a student at Bridgeport High School.

Among other achievements, the principal said, the school has produced students who went on to receive prestigious awards such as the Prime Minister’s National Youth Award for Excellence in Academics, Marcus Garvey Award for Excellence in Education, and three mayor’s awards from the municipality of Portmore.

“The reason we are able to do this is that we expose them from very early to these concepts, and we build the foundation very strongly so they can walk into the CSEC exam or the City & Guilds exam confidently. They are sitting in these exams with adults and adolescents who have been doing the exam over and over, especially the people who have been doing the maths three, four times and cannot get a grade three.

“I remember one year, a student, he was doing the City & Guilds, and he finished the exam in 45 minutes. It’s a two-hour exam and he finished it in 45 minutes, went to sleep, and woke up and looked at these adults who were struggling. It gives me a lot of pride to know that you can build these youngsters to the point where they are so confident that they can do with ease what adults and teenagers struggle to do. I feel very proud of them,” she told the Sunday Observer.

Candeece Campbell said she knew her daughter Kailey had the potential because she had been prepping for years to undergo her Primary Exit Profile (PEP) exams.

“The fact that Miss Kamau saw the potential in her with all her hard work and dedication, we just gave it a try and hoped for the best where the exams were concerned, but I knew that she would do well because of previous exams that she did before and getting good grades,” said Campbell, who added that her daughter had classes every day and even on holidays, noting that they worked hard to get the results.

“It felt good, and I am super proud of her, knowing that at such a tender age she was able to sit an exam that most adults up to this day wouldn’t be able to get a pass in…I still have butterflies from all of what has happened, especially with her being so young… It really does feel good,” she said.

Kailey shared she always heard the stories of children who attend the school taking on CSEC and City & Guild exams, which piqued her interest. She said she eventually decided to give it a try.

“The exams were not too bad, but I felt a little nervous,” said the 11-year-old, adding it felt strange to be in a class with individuals much older than her.

She said when the results were released, she was extremely proud of herself for putting in the hard work.

“I was very happy that I could do it, so that I didn’t have to do it in high school while everybody else is doing it,” said the St Hugh’s High School student.

Kailey said she plans to take on additional subjects in high school, starting as early as first form. She said she hopes that her story will serve as an inspiration to other young people that they can do anything they put their mind to.

“If you think of it, you can do it,” she encouraged.

Largue Nedrick, Aaliyah’s grandmother, said she always knew her granddaughter had the ability to tackle both PEP and City & Guilds examinations.

She described Aaliyah as a child who has always been wise beyond her years and who thrives on challenges — a quality she said was evident when the youngster confidently entered a room filled with adults to sit the examinations.

“When she walked into the room where the exam was, she was one of the youngest persons. The room was filled with adults from 18 years old up doing the exam, and she is 12 years old. When she entered the room, people were looking up, wondering if this little girl was doing the exam or if she’s at the right place…I just had to say, ‘This little girl is gonna go far,’ ” she recalled.

Nedrick admitted that the preparation process was challenging, with Aaliyah having to attend weekend and afternoon classes, but said she never doubted her granddaughter’s ability to succeed. She said that with the help of both her parents, they encouraged and guided her throughout the process, always ensuring she had whatever she needed to tackle this new task.

She encouraged parents to do the same and not limit their children’s abilities.

“Listen to them, encourage them, don’t limit them. It doesn’t matter, academically or technically, whatever your child loves and has a desire to do, you should give them the chance to do it. Not every child will be academically strong; some are practically strong, but always encourage them in whatever it is you see that they love,” she encouraged.