Questions arise as Gov’t implements new requirements for Grade 6 Assessment

By Leroy Smith

Several persons have been calling the News Room over the past few days to express their concerns with the new requirements for children sitting the National Grade Six Assessment.

Parents and even teachers who spoke with the News Room on the condition of anonymity explained that  the requirements  include them stating their names, date of birth, sex, name of school and other information on their examination sheets which can easily identify whose assessment paper is being marked.

Already there are concerns that this development could reduce impartiality in the marking and lead to the promotion of a specific child or children based on their connections.

One woman said she wrote the Ministry of Education enquiring about the rationale behind the new requirement and from what was communicated to her it seems that no one there has any clear explanation.

The National Grade Six Assessment is slated for April 27 and 28.

News Room contacted the current and former Ministers of Education; the call to Dr. Roopnarine went unanswered, however Priya Manickchand revealed that she has received reports on what is being described as a  ‘strange development.’

The former minister said she is likely to address the issue at a Press Conference her party is expected to host this morning (April 14).

Efforts to contact officials from the Examinations Division also proved futile.