Dear Editor,
I am writing this letter in response to the misunderstood claims against Queen’s College’s agenda with respect to the release of the 2020 CXC results. Recently, there have been several posts and letters in response to the College’s press conference outlining the issues at hand and our plan of action. The fact that many of these utterances have a negative connotation is indeed sad. The fact that they seek to frame QC as an attention seeker when the aim of the College is to highlight and expose an issue that is of Regional importance only serves to detract from the objective of this exercise. The prevailing confusion created by CXC is not the plight of only Queen’s College students but to students across the region. We have undertaken to initiate the discussion necessary to effect a change by CXC. As such, I am using my platform as a student of this institution to put all misconstrued accusations and claims to rest.
Firstly, I would like to make it clear that it is not the intention of this missive to insult any individual or other educational institution. With this in mind, I would like to address one of the most popular rumours milling about that more or less claims that “Queen’s College is only upset because they didn’t do as well as they usually do.” or that “They’re only upset that the junior schools are doing better than them.” This is simply not true. It is upsetting to me that people would take these unfortunate circumstances and warp it to their agenda which is to belittle QC whilst forgetting that the only antagonist in this situation is CXC. CXC has wronged us all and Queen’s College should not be shamed for protecting and fighting for their students. If you, as a member of the public, feel that the faculty is being aggressive in their approach to this problem, I ask you to remember that the main priority of every educational foundation or institution should be the wellbeing of their students, and an aggressive approach is certainly warranted when CXC has the gall to say they are satisfied with this grading process which has frankly hijacked the grades for which that we have worked so hard.
Secondly, I would like to clarify misinformation spread about the school’s meeting with the Honourable Minister of Education Priya Manickchand. It was believed that this meeting held on September 23rd, 2020 at 19:00hrs was a secret. This information is also a fallacy. That meeting was a parent-teacher meeting initially intended to allow students, parents, and teachers to discuss the matters at hand and to come up with possible and practical solutions. At her request, the Minister joined this fruitful discussion in order to aid in rectifying the situation. Non-disclosure of any topic from the public was not mentioned at the meeting. Its sole purpose was to give the students some semblance of hope and to reassure them that no stone would be left unturned with respect to seeking redress from CXC. With respect to the press conference held on September 24th, 2020, the prevailing COVID-19 protocols precluded the extension of invitations to all and sundry. It is the College’s hope however, to extend virtual invitations to schools across the nation to continue our discussion on the subject and to hear the concerns of students, parents, and teachers alike.
Lastly, I would like to take the opportunity to remind and encourage all students not to be dissuaded by any criticism. As a student myself who wrote exams this year, I understand the impact that those fraudulent grades might have had on your self-esteem, your emotional health, and your motivation. I urge you to keep fighting for the grades you deserve. I would also like to remind you that these grades are not a reflection of your capabilities and they should not cause any alteration in your character. Stay strong and let us join together in opposition to CXC.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address supplied)
