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Bahamas Ministry of Education announces National Exams results

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#TheBahamas, September 9, 2021 – The Ministry of Education (MOE) announced the results of the 2021 National Examinations at a press conference Monday, August 30, 2021.

The Hon. Jeffrey Lloyd, Minister of Education headlined the list of ministry officials who participated in the virtual event, which was broadcast live on television. Lorraine Armbrister, Permanent Secretary; Dr. Marcellus Taylor, Director; Serethea Clarke, Under Secretary and Evelyn Sawyer, Assistant Director, also participated.

Dr. Taylor happily noted that although many students, for whatever reason, were discouraged from participating in national exams (BJC and BGCSE) the MOE provided the opportunities and many students have had success.

“One of the standards that we look at to see how many students have succeeded was how many students of the BGCSE level received 5 BGCSEs with a minimum grade of D.  Over the COVID period about 1500 such students met that standard. I am sure that for each and every one of those 1500 students they are eternally grateful for the fact that we forged ahead with these national exams.”

On behalf of the students, Dr. Taylor acknowledged the Examinations and Assessments Division (EAD), senior staff at MOE, teachers, school administrators and their parents.

Minister Lloyd, in an overview of 2021 National Examinations, offered congratulations to the students for their achievements and commended the officers of the EAD. He extended thanks to parents, teachers, administrators, educators, family and friends of the students for their support.

He said, “The fact that we were able to continue with our examinations is significant, as it underscores the fact that we have not compromised on the quality of our University of Cambridge certified examinations – the BGCSE’s.

“This is a critical accomplishment, as we are aware that in some developed countries, COVID-19 presented difficulties in administering national examinations. The fact that we navigated through the multiplicity of restrictions and limitations in our instructional process, while still preparing our students to write these papers, at over 100 centers throughout the islands, was an achievement. This fact was even more critical for those students, who for the second consecutive year, had to deal with the physical and emotional disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

 

2021 BJC Examinations

  • 9,552 sat the examinations, at 110 centers, of which 49 were at government schools, while 61 centers were independently administered.
  • BJC exams covered 13 subjects, with 34,584 grades awarded, compared to 31,970 awarded in 2020. For an 8.2% increase.
  • Mathematics and English Language were the two most subscribed subjects: English Language with a total of 6,204 candidates, a 10.49% increase over last year’s total of 5, 615 students.
  • 6,994 candidates sat the Maths exams this year, compared to 6,277 in 2020, for an 11.42%.
  • Increase in candidates sitting General Science, Religious Studies, Family and Consumer Science, Social Studies, Literature and French, during the 2021 period compared to the previous year.
  • Female candidates have outperformed male candidates, in both the BJC and BGCSE exams. Of the 9,552 BJC candidates, 1,164 of them received a grade of C or higher in 5 or more subjects. This represents 12.19% of the overall candidature; and a 7.48% increase when compared to last year, which had 1,083 candidates obtaining this distinction.
  • 1630 candidates achieved a grade D or above in at least 5 subjects, representing 17.06% of the overall candidature and a 1.62% increase compared to last year’s 1,604 candidates, who performed at this level.

 

2021 BGCSE Examinations

  • 27 subjects were offered, resulting in 17,874 grades being awarded this year. This represents an increase of 18.19% compared to 2020, which had a total of 15,123 grades.
  • 5,159 candidates sat the BGCSE exams at 96 centers throughout the country.
  • 40 centers were at government schools while 56 centers were independently administered.
  • English Language, Biology, Mathematics and Religious Studies continue to remain the subjects of choice for the vast majority of candidates. Art and Design Scheme C, Auto Mechanics and Clothing Construction remain the least subscribed subjects.
  • Of the 27 subjects tested, 24 subjects saw an increase in the number of candidates being awarded a grade. There was a significant increase in the number of candidates receiving grades between A – C. This year 1,804 or 10.09% of the 17,874 grades given were A’s.
  • Overall, 50.44% of the grades awarded were to candidates earning A – C grades.
  • A total of 550 candidates received at least grade C or above in 5 or more subjects. This represents 10.66% of the overall 5,159 candidature and a 50.68% increase compared to last year’s 365 candidates who received grade C or above in 5 or more subjects.
  • 875 candidates obtained a grade of D or above in at least 5 subjects. This represents 16.96% of the overall candidature and a 46.32% increase when compared to last year’s 598 candidates who received a grade of D or above in at least 5 subjects.

Minister Lloyd urged students to remain committed to their preparations for examinations. “Despite the current temporal challenges brought on by this pandemic, please remember that the ability remains within you to thrive and achieve great success,” he said.

By Kathryn Campbell

 

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Twist To Win Ends in a Grand Style with Four $5,000 Mall at Marathon Shopping Sprees  

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Twist To Win grand finale winners (l-r) Brian Bethel, Taraceta Neely, Ashia Demeritte and Merlin Adams posing along with their winnings from the shopping spree.

NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.

The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.

With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.

Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.

Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.

Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!

After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.

The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.

At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.

Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.

Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.

The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.

Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.

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 The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival  

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival.                                                                                                                                                                              Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.

As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.

Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole, with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’.                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.

Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.

Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the listening booth.

Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.

For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!

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CWS Brings a Galore of Bubbles at Annual Jollification Festival  

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Caribbean Wines & Spirits team members smiling behind one of the company’s two bars at Jollification

NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.

Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.

The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members.  Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.

Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine.  To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.

On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking in the comfort of the chic lounge.  In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.

The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.

Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.

To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.

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