Mom lost for words after daughter’s perfect PEP score

For her distinguished performance in the one-off Ability Task paper, 12-year-old Kaheilia Campbell, Gibbs’ first child, has secured a place at the respected Clarendon College in northern Clarendon.

Indeed, only few parents are capable of maintaining self-control in such awe-inspiring moment.  

It was a moment of indescribable joy for Gibbs, the culmination of a period of self-sacrifice and investment being richly rewarded.

The Davis Primary standout is among an elite group of students who sat the abbreviated version of the annual national primary school-leaving examination to achieve 100 percent.

Gibbs, said her daughter was “always a dedicated” child towards her education.

“Since she started school from age two she has been doing well,” the proud mother who works at the Jamaica Broilers Group’s Best Dressed Chicken factory, said.

The Spring Village native and resident told Old Harbour News that she was very confident going into the exam, significantly altered due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

According to the parent, Kaheilia’s preparation was built around a tailored programme which included a lot of PEP practice papers and paid personal tutoring lessons on Saturdays.

“I didn’t have to be behind her telling her to do her work,” Gibbs added.

While she loves and will miss “everything” about Davis Primary, Kaheilia is looking forward to the new phase of her education at an institution she “knows nothing about”.

A shy speaker throughout our brief interview, Kaheilia says her dream is to own and operate her own business “in hospitality,” a goal her mom is prepared to help fulfill. 

“She has a lot of family support from the day she was born. I wouldn’t say I had a lot of challenge with her based on the family support,” says her mother.

“My expectation of her is very high; I know she can do it. Whatever she puts her mind to I know she can achieve it.”

With Kaheilia’s mindset and solid support around her, everything is indeed possible for this shining star.