Book Review: Exams are the business of the OEC

Published in The Sunday Gleaner, May 3, 2015

Title: Administering Overseas Examinations in Jamaica – A History of the Overseas Examinations Commission, 1887-2007

Author: Patrick E. Bryan

Their mission is to “effectively and efficiently administer access to exams and provide applicable accompanying support”. Their watchwords? Integrity, reliability, innovation and efficiency.

With more than 128 years under its belt, the Overseas Examinations Commission (OEC) has been the silent champion of Jamaican futures: working behind the scenes to facilitate the smooth running of overseas examinations in the island.

Most people know about the importance of the Caribbean Examinations Council’s (CXC) flagship exams at the high-school level: the Caribbean Secondary Examinations Certificate (CSEC) and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE), but very few know about the OEC’s work to ensure that these exams are reliably and accurately administered every year.

In addition, the OEC oversees a United Kingdom-based international suite of secondary exams; conducts seminars for teachers, students and private candidates; prepares, issues, verifies and replaces exam results and certificates; collates exam statistics; and handles queries, re-mark requests and transcripts.

They have been the silent enablers of millions of Jamaicans who use these exams as stepping stones to tertiary education or as qualifiers for the world of work.

                                                                                                                                                                             

To celebrate their longevity, the OEC has published a book on the history of their organisation. Titled ‘Administering Overseas Examinations in Jamaica – A History of the Overseas Examinations Commission, 1887-2007’, the book, written by Professor Patrick Bryan, chronicles the development of the OEC from a small, voluntary committee to an internationally recognised commission.

In nine chapters, Bryan gives insight into the history of what has become an indispensable part of the Jamaican exams landscape. As he states in his introduction, the telling of the OEC’s story “is an extension of the story of high-school education and education policy in Jamaica”. The book will, therefore, prove useful for those seeking a deeper understanding of how the nation’s education and examination systems have developed over the years.

There are tables showing the figures for exam entrance fees, the numbers of candidates sitting these exams, and the passes in each over the years. There are also pictures of some of the country’s oldest and finest educational institutions and educators, as well as of chairmen and executive teams who have led the OEC.

Speaking on the relevance of this book to Jamaican history and heritage, Professor Bryan says, “One thing missing in Jamaica is solid work on its history of education. This is very important because education has been one of the major means of mobilisation for the poor man.”

“[Parents] want to be sure their children are sitting in exams where they can do their best. They want to know that when they get results, they can believe that that is what they did … that it is reliable internationally,” added Neville Ying, current chairman of the OEC. With this in mind, they have produced a book which shows how, over the years, the OEC has developed and implemented a system to ensure that exams are conducted with integrity, reliability, innovation and efficiency.

Meeting legacies ...

I feel so full up of life, I can hardly breathe.

I love it when I meet legacies. I love it when the universe sets me up for a pleasant surprise and lands me in the same room as someone with a powerful story that I needed to hear that they needed to share ... .

Enter RC here. I met the man and heard a piece of his story and felt like a very privileged human being. Do you know how awesome it is to get even a minute of insight? When someone who has lived through much of history bequeaths you a little bit of that?

A minute of insight - that's all I need. I will treasure that one minute. Give me one minute of your best life lessons, one minute of your most profound moment. Tip your heart over mine and give me just one drop from your heart's deepest wells. I'll take it. I'll treasure it. I'll use it like fuel to propel me into a better mental space and physical place ... I'm perpetually absorbing everlasting wealth.

You know how the sick pulled virtue out of Jesus? I pull virtue out of people. I draw on them till they give me their stories ...

And, this my friends know very well: I especially love the elderly. I love to tap into the minds of men whose memories are more plentiful than my entire lifetime's worth of experiences.

I heard a senior coworker give a classic quip the other day: I've forgotten more than you've lived through. It was a good comeback. We laughed at the young whippersnapper who thought he could take on her obvious reservoir of knowledge. But then I had to stop and think: I LOVE to share time and space with people who know so much, they've forgotten more than I've even learned! Minds like that ... overwhelm, fascinate, excite and interest me ... .

For sure, one of the best aspects of my job is that I get to meet legacies, and hear and share their stories. I love it. I love capturing heartsongs and singing them back, through pen and paper, to the next generation. And I hope that while I'm meeting legacies, I'm making legacies ...

Osmosis launch photos

Osmosis (link here) has positioned itself to be the
Caribbean's premier online arts portal.

I think it's an awesome idea!

Here are pictures from the launch,
which took place at Decor VIII,
(7 Hillcrest Avenue, Kingston, Jamaica), recently

Osmosis conceptualiser, Amitabh Sharma (second left) is surrounded by a
bevvy of beauties from left Heather Smith, Karen Carter and Wendy Jumpp.

Phillip Supersad plays the flute and accompanying drummers join in the beat.

Julian Robinson, minister of state in the Ministry of Science, Technology,
Energy and Mining, speaks at the launch event.

Osmosis Caribbean - Jamaica’s Premier Online Art Portal launched

Web initiative to market Jamaican and Caribbean fine art worldwide

It was a the perfect setting, starlight Caribbean skies, cozy ambiance, the beats of the drums resonated in the air to build up the crescendo as Jamaica’s premier online web initiative was launched on Wednesday, April 15, 2015.

The gardens at 8 Hillcrest Avenue came alive; as this initiative took centrestage, in a launch event sponsored by Scotia Private Banking Group.

“Osmosis Caribbean is taking Jamaican arts to the next level,” said Hon. Julian Robinson, Minister of State in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, in his keynote presentation.

Minister Robinson added that initiatives such as Osmosis Caribbean reaffirm Jamaica’s strategic position, as a hub for information technology, nurturing entrepreneurial capacity and taking Brand Jamaica to a global scale.

“I wish this venture all the success,” the minister said, adding that this venture will encourage setting up of other e-commerce initiatives in Jamaica.

Mr. Roger Grant, Centre Director, Scotia Private Banking Group, while congratulating the principals of Osmosis Caribbean, reaffirmed his institution’s support to the fine arts.

“We at Scotia Bank have always supported arts, being the organizers of Celebration of Arts exhibition, encouraging and nurturing new and emerging talent,” Mr. Grant said.

“This is not merely a web initiative,” Mr. Grant continued. “Osmosis Caribbean is hallmark of e-commerce and how businesses are conducted in 21^st Century.”

Unveiling the website, Mr. Amitabh Sharma, creator and the brains behind Osmosis Caribbean, expounded that the genesis of the concept was laid down during his deliberations with Art Gallery Décor VIII. “It is the birth of a new dimension and a new medium for the creative thought process,” Mr. Sharma, said, thanking Décor VIII for their support.

“Osmosis Caribbean is an initiative that takes Jamaican and Caribbean fine arts beyond the stereotypical, giving it a international flavor and reach out to the global sphere,” Mr. Sharma said.

He further informed the guests that Osmosis Caribbean is a truly indigenous product, having being designed and developed in Jamaica. “This is a representation of Brand Jamaica, and exhibits the top class quality, that is second to none in the world.”

The crescendo to the unveiling transcended into a mystical sphere, with the beats of the drums lead by ace drummer and ceramist par excellence, Phillip Supersad.

Osmosis Caribbean will showcase a range of fine art – from the masters to the young and contemporary artists. “What sets us apart is the fact that we would issue certificate of authenticity, personally signed by the artist, along with the artwork purchased,” informed Mr. Sharma. “The art enthusiast will not only be assured of investing in a quality artwork but also get a personalized touch with their purchase, which they can cherish for a lifetime.”

Osmosis Caribbean wishes to thank their Media Partner Caribbean 360.com, Associated Partner WhittyGordon Projects and has committed its support to Chupse as their outreach partner.

ABOUT OSMOSIS CARIBBEAN

The genesis of this venture was formed around the need to develop and harness an international market for Jamaican and Caribbean Fine Art, and authentic merchandise. 

The web initiative, conceptualized by Amitabh Sharma, a media professional, owner of Synapse Communications, a PR Consultancy, along with artists, marketing and technology specialists.

Osmosis, Caribbean’s 21st century initiative, will market and sell Jamaican and Caribbean fine art internationally. The venture seeks to converge the artists’ creations with technology, offering marketability of their works in the Caribbean and global high-end art marketplace. It is our endeavor to be agent for change. 

We will strive, constantly, to spread awareness of Caribbean’s art and artists; fulfill the demands of our consumer; and review the best creations in the market. We will provide new products and services; support and contribute to the artists’ community by hosting and supporting shows, events; and by promoting the Caribbean as an artist's oasis and destination.

For media queries and further information please contact: Amitabh Sharma, Synapse Communications, mobile: 1-876-339-2338 or email: synapseworld@gmail.com

Easton Lee’s ‘Kiss Mi Granny’ tells stories sweet like stew peas

It was “a wonderful stew peas evening” – from the first chords of Dr Carol Ball’s mini music segment, called ‘Sweet Riddims’, to the final sounds of Carole Reid singing old time Jamaican tunes, giving the audience a little ‘brawta’.

Jamaican culture and language were at the centre of Saturday evening’s celebration, even though the main purpose of the gathering was to launch Easton Lee’s fifth book, humorously titled ‘Kiss Mi Granny’.

Every presentation was rife with a mixture of patois and English, seasoned with anecdotes that elicited laughter from an enrapt audience. Chairperson Glynis Salmon, head of BalaPress, set the tone with a ‘Good Howdy-Do’, explaining that each of the evening’s segments would be likened to parts of the process of cooking a pot of stew peas.

After prayer by Father Laurius Lewis and a rendition of ‘Above All’ by songbird Andrae Shepherd, things went into slow simmer, with readings by Erica Allen, Fae Ellington, Leonie Forbes and Tiffani Robinson. Each lady read a praise poem from Lee’s book, giving the audience pause for reflection on the author’s love affair with his “Creator God”.

“Dance me, Lord, dance me,” read Ellington, the lilt and sway of her voice drawing the audience into a reverie of movement with the majestic. Leonie Forbes stoutly declared, “Dem sing and dance we story” – a poignant line from the poem ‘And When Dem Play and Sing’.

Carole Reid wrapped up the segment with her singing of ‘Oh My Gracious Father’, a song written by Lee to the tune of Puccini’s 'O Mio Babbino Caro’.

Then it was on to the second segment, and the simmer heated to a boil. Readings from Ellington, Forbes, Robinson, and Grace McGhie-Brown had the audience in stitches as they heard ‘Stories and Teachings From Granny’. The selections were jawbreakingly funny, and the readers emoted and expressed their roles like the veteran media and theatre personalities they were, to the amusement and delight of the audience.

Storyteller Amina Blackwood-Meeks read from the preface she wrote for the book, sharing that Easton introduced her to writing for radio, and helped her develop her “voice”, while admonishing her “vices”.  Professor Carolyn Cooper’s offering was a fitting reminder of one of Jamaica’s most famous ‘granny’ lines: “Mek fashion and tun yuh hand.”

“Only Easton Lee could have brought the cream of the creative arts and media together in such a satisfying mix,” said Steadman Fuller, keynote speaker for the evening, custos of Kingston and CEO of Kingston Bookshop, main distributors of Lee’s work.

Alluding to the stew peas imagery, he said that the readings gave “food for thought”, and brought to mind cultural icons Miss Lou (Louise Bennett), Maas Ran (Ranny Williams) and Miss Olive (Lewin). He added that Lee’s book was a call for a return to uplifting values like care and concern for each other, and said it should be made required reading in primary schools.

In his response in the evening’s final segment, Lee noted that one of his main motivations for writing ‘Kiss Mi Granny’ was “to give our younger generations an idea of what we were taught by our parents that have kept us”.

“We don’t pay enough attention to that wisdom and work ethic,” he lamented. “Do you know how many teachers, lawyers and doctors came out of that? That [work ethic] paid university fees for many of us.”

He went on to say that he strongly believed in living a life of purpose that would benefit younger generations. “Our life must be to help the young people to understand – to be proud of themselves and of Jamaica,” he said. “In God’s wisdom, he gave us each other. None of us can do without the other.”

In thanking everyone who attended the launch, or helped to make the book possible, he topped off what was truly an evening of sweet Jamaican stew with a line his own mother used very often: “God works in mischievous ways.”

Ray Chen's awesome new photo collection

Published in The Sunday Gleaner, March 22, 2015

He stumbled into photography by chance, and it became his life's driving passion. And now, after more than 50 years in the industry, Ray Chen is bequeathing to his homeland another pictorial legacy.

On Wednesday, March 18, Chen launched Jamaica: My 50 Years in Photography, in a small gathering of friends and associates at the Grogge Shop, Devon House, Kingston.

His friend of over 60 years, Lascelles Chin, spoke at the event, reminiscing about mischievous schoolboy days and exciting adolescent, then adult years. His memories were as vivid and colourful as Chen's book, from the bicycle rides, beach parties and bonfire nights they enjoyed as youngsters.
"We shared many things," Chin said, explaining that it was this bonding which led him to lend Chen a camera.

"I borrowed Chin's camera and never let it go after that," Chen joked, and what started with mainly photos for passports, weddings and pretty girls, as was the practice in Jamaica, grew into a finely honed craft that has earned Chen worldwide acclaim and brought him lifelong satisfaction.

"Photography ... it's in your blood and you can't get it out," he said with a smile. "In many ways, it's [been about] being in the right place at the right time."

After attending school at the New York Institute of Photography, Chen moved to Montreal, Canada, and, as he gained exposure to different styles and techniques, became a successful commercial photographer.

He has published two other books of pictorial essays, Jamaica: The land and the people (1984) and Jamaica: The beauty and the soul of the land we love (1993); as well as a historical volume commemorating the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the Han Chinese to Jamaica, titled The Shopkeepers (2005).

Relevant depiction

This fourth work took Chen three years to complete, as he was very meticulous about the message he wanted to send. "It was tough," he said. "You have to think deep about what you want to say and put it in there. ... I don't think a foreigner would do it like this. You have to live the culture to know what's important and relevant."

Even though he had plenty material to work with at the start, he said he sometimes went to take pictures to fill in the gaps and "make the work complete".
 
"What's important to me is to document a lot of the things that we are slowly losing," Chen said.
"Because over time, things that are important to you are not going to be as important to the next generation. And I'm caught between the older and the younger, so I'm filling the generational gap."
Gloria Palomino, present at the launch, said: "[The book is] just phenomenal. Every school should have copies of it."

Howard Moo-Young, a renowned photographer in his own right, added, "I don't think there's any other Jamaican photographer who has achieved what Ray has done. I've known him for over 20 years. He has left a legacy for Jamaica and it will go on for generations and generations. It is a recording of life in Jamaica, of past years."

Wayne Chin, who has worked with Chen for years, praised him as "very humble ... his treatment of subject is phenomenal".

Barbara Gloudon summed it up perfectly when she said: "Ray Chen is a decent person with great love and respect for Jamaica. He genuinely loves Jamaica."

No judgement?

I have to shake my head and smile.

I'm at the taxi stand in New Kingston. Two taxi drivers are waiting for their respective vehicles to fill up with passengers. As is the custom with taxi men, they're killing the time with a conversation loud enough for the entire Knutsford Boulevard to hear.

"That's why me nuh judge nobody," Taxi Man One is saying. "A man can look pon you and decide seh because you look a certain way, him can class you. And then people catch on and start class you too. And nothing nuh go so!"

"Yeah man," Taxi Man Two chimed in. "Me hear seh them say him a B-man."

"Mek me tell you something," Taxi Man One rebuffed. "Me see him one day pon the stand, right? And me see a girl look like she a make a move to fi him car. So me not even a give her no check. But then she see me and start move toward my car and a say, 'wha gwaan, man? Long time no see.' So when she come inna the car, she a ask me wha me and him have because him tell her seh she and her B-man friend can gwaan. Me nuh say nothing. But now me a hear seh a so people a say. Yuh see because you look a certain way, people think say you a that ... But a you fi know what you know and nuh make nobody stop you from live your life."

His tone grows animated. You can tell he's getting irate.

"Them not even know me! Who ... A three babymother me have enuh!" And he continues the tirade until the taxi only needs one more person.

Across the street comes Mr Metrosexual, in a fitted pink-and-white striped shirt, briefcase in hand, walking with a sway. Taxi Man One points him out to his friend.

"Hey! Town?" He asks. The young man nods. 

"Me gone," he tells the other driver, then adds: "Him look like one a them."

They both laugh.

I have to shake my head and smile.