(GRAND CAYMAN, CAYMAN ISLANDS) – Students on Government Scholarships attending the International College of the Cayman Islands (ICCI) are doing better than they were earlier this year, but there is a lot of room for improvement, according to the College.

During the Spring Quarter (April 7-June 19) 49 Government Scholarship students were enrolled at ICCI. Thirty-three were full-time. Sixteen were part-time.

Forty-two students enrolled in undergraduate programs. Seven students were enrolled in graduate programs.

Of the total number of Government Scholarship Students:

• 36 or 73 percent achieved the required 3.0 GPA. This number represents a 7 percent increase from the Winter Quarter 2014.
• 13 or 27 percent did not achieve the required GPA. This number represents a 10% decrease from the Winter Quarter 2014, meaning that fewer students are below what is required.

Based on the College’s review, 5 or 10 percent of Government Scholarship Students would not be eligible for government scholarships this quarter based on the guidelines communicated by The Scholarship Secretariat.

While these data points represent marked improvement from the Winter Quarter 2014, the College says it is still far below the aspirational metric of 90 percent of Government Scholarship Students achieving at the 3.0 level or above set by the College.

“While we are very proud of the Government Scholarships Students who are doing well, we are disappointed that our overall success rate is so low. To my mind, this is not the fault of the Government Scholarship Students, it is the College’s failure for not having systems in place to help these young people achieve and I take direct responsibility for that,” said Dr. David Marshall, ICCI President.

To improve performance, the College is requiring mandatory tutoring sessions for all students in academic peril starting in the Fall Quarter 2014, some of these mandatory sessions will be held on weekends. The College will also require Government Scholarship Students to sign learning contracts with the Director of Student Support Services identifying the barriers to academic achievement, and work with the “DSSS” on an individual learning plan to boost academic performance.

“These are the public’s dollars. The Ministry of Education is investing in these students and in ICCI. We have to be accountable for student performance. Otherwise, we have no business taking government dollars or students on government scholarships,” said Marshall.

The focus on student achievement is part of the overall plan to strengthen academic quality at the College. In September, Marshall said policy proposals are going to the Board of Trustees for approval that will raise admissions standards and elevate requirements to graduate. “We are not going to accept anything less than excellence,” said Marshall. “We want employers who hire our graduates to be confident that our graduates are globally competitive,” Marshall said.

Some of the College’s accountability practices have sparked complaints to the Ministry of Education, including a requirement that students attend 85% of the classes during the quarter to be eligible for a grade.

“It’s true,” said Marshall. “This is not a place for people who want to horse around. We take attendance every class. Students who are absent from any class, will be getting a call from the College to inquire what is going on.” Marshall said, “Let’s just say I am not the most popular College President in the world right now.”

“Students and their parents are trusting us to do our job preparing students for careers. We can’t let them down. Accountability is key,” said Marshall.

Founded in 1970, the International College of the Cayman Islands the Birthplace of Tertiary Education in the Cayman Islands. The College is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools to award associates, bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

The mission of the International College of the Cayman Islands is to prepare students for career placement and enhancement. The ICCI education instills attitudes, behaviors, sensitivities, skills and knowledge that are essential to life and learning.