Rastafarian reggae artiste Rasta Blacspade is encouraging students sitting the CSEC and CAPE examinations to strive for excellence, despite obstacles, and to believe that success is in their favour.

“This is not a time to look back at the past and the hurdles you have encountered, but to keep your eyes on your goals in life. Set your standards high, which means, aim for the full hundred. So when you leave the examination room you can rest assured you have done your best.”

“I have made many mistakes in school, for which I have to take full responsibility. At the end of the day, the result will show the quality of work you have invested, prior to the examinations.”

Each year more than 100,000 students sit the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC), while candidates sitting the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination(CAPE) are trending at about 35,000.

Figures from the Caribbean Examination Council show that the number of students sitting both CSEC and CAPE is declining. For example, in 2021 some 27,750 students were registered to sit the CAPE exam compared to 30,498 in 2020. In the CSEC the trend is the same with 103,445 registered to sit the examination in 2021 compared to 122,248 in 2020.

Despite this, students’ performance is said to be on the improve in both the CSEC and CAPE examinations in Jamaica.

According to the Ministry of Education, on CSEC results in Jamaica, 35,531 students from public schools registered of which 33,664 (94.7 percent) sat and 28,312 (84.1 percent) passed at least one subject at grades one to three.

Rasta Blacspade, given name Wade Douglas says “Parents have invested a lot in your education. Teachers have worked very hard to ensure we have some of the best doctors, nurses, carpenters in the world. So, study hard to enrich our nation in all areas, including our culture.”

Rasta Blacspade’s latest project is ‘Love Over All Things’, one of six songs on Thug Chemist’s ‘Royal Plus Riddim’.

The project includes Passion Minott’s ‘Trim Trim Trim’, Jahvante Campbell’s ‘Cry Peace’, and Magona’s ‘Mend and Blend Again’.

(Photos contributed)