SOUTH REWARD--Mixed results were recorded amongst final exam classes in various departments at Milton Peters College (MPC).
The best results came from the HAVO/VWO Department, which recorded an 80 per cent passing rate. The PKL/PBL Department recorded a 70 per cent passing rate, which MPC General Director Wim de Visser said can go up to around 75 per cent after term three in August. The TKL Department did not do so well with a 50 per cent passing rate recorded.
As the Spanish final exams in the first round were declared void, MPC’s PKL/PBL students have the right do a third round if they were not successful after the second round. This third round will be in August, De Visser explained.
“That is very unfortunate for these students, especially because the incident with Spanish did not occur at our school. It was because [St. Maarten Academy – Ed.] PSVE [Preparatory Secondary Vocational Education] had the exam one day too early.”
In giving his assessment of the overall results (including the 82 per cent recorded at Sundial School), De Visser, who is also General Director of Sundial School, said: “All in all, we are very satisfied with the results. Seeing also the challenging second year after Irma. I must thank all teachers and staff for their hard work and commitment. And I want to congratulate the students on all their perseverance and hard work in full motivation to succeed.”
Students who passed graduated during a ceremony held on Thursday evening under the theme: “Go forth and inspire the world.”
In addressing students at the graduation, De Visser urged students to remain dynamic, stay open-minded and critical and remain upright towards their best intentions to develop themselves and others.
He spoke a little about the theme. “What two wonderful words can be found in this theme. The energy of advancing; the dynamics of our young generation, our students of St. Maarten. But also the other word, ‘inspiration”, moves me a lot.
“I too can think back to my own past as a student at the high school where I did my VWO, where I was inspired by the personality of a number of teachers, such as the history teacher I had, who inspired me to study history. And that same teacher was also the person who very often spoke of current events during the lessons.
“This was the reason I did a lot of research concerning the period of the Cold War during my studies, my own childhood years. Also proof that examining the past is especially a quest to the better understanding of the present. And from that perspective, to receive inspiration as well as to be able to give to those you work with.”
De Visser said he had come to know a number of the MPC exam students a lot better, that it is mainly students who can inspire the older generation.
“We need to get away from the old adage that only the older generation can inspire the younger generation. It is always an interaction, and the older generations need to consciously open themselves up to the energy and ideas springing forth from you. Lifelong learning is not limited to the college benches, but it is ever so present at any moment of the day if only you carefully look around you and open yourselves to the dynamics of others.”
