Date for SEA exam brilliant

THE EDITOR: The date of the Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) exam, August 20, is, in a word, “brilliant.”

The reopening of the Std 5 classes in July is the best forerunner as that class will have the use of the entire school area, especially with the restrictions in effect now.

Reopening in September would have meant a shift system to cater for the extra space needed. With July the classes can be conducted for the entire day, allowing for more teaching time.

It is quite disappointing to read TTUTA's response to the arrangements. One cannot imagine a trade union objecting to members being offered compensation for giving up their holidays and suggesting it is not necessary as teachers are committed to students.

The Principals Association was more on the ball.

The date allows for the students moving in to secondary schools in October.

This will allow for a bit of the post-SEA programme instituted last year – Students Transmitting Effectively from Primary to Secondary (STEPS) – as pupils are introduced to what is expected of them at the higher level.

That programme was conducted by the curriculum division of the Ministry of Education and supported by corporate citizens. Director of curriculum supervision John Jagroop hailed it as "a programme for the entire Caribbean to follow."

It is well known that following the SEA there is great absenteeism in the Std 5 classes, something that is difficult to understand.

STEPS saw pupils excited about attending school to do project work, as will be required in secondary schools.

With the former rescheduled opening is September there would have been the transition in January 2021, the loss of an entire term at secondary level.

It also would have meant the Year One class, five-year-old infants, would have lost a similar period. We must never overlook the time of our infants’ education, the foundational and important age group.

The new date is really a win-win for all concerned and reflects constructive thinking, for which all concerned must be congratulated.

LENNOX SIRJUESINGH

via e-mail