Education Ministry cancels Grades 2, 4 & 9 assessments and placement exams

Due to the constraints placed on students by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Education (MoE) has taken the decision to cancel the Grades Two, Four and Nine assessments along with the ministry’s placement examinations, this year.

This was announced on Thursday night by Chief Education Officer (CEO), Dr. Marcel Hutson, who underscored that the adverse effects of the pandemic prompted the cancellations.

“We recognise the hardships our students have been facing in terms of their readiness and preparedness for these examinations and we also recognise the need for our students to be safe,” Dr. Hutson emphasised.

In light of these cancellations, provisions for the placement of students have been made. The CEO highlighted that those students currently attending private schools, but who are desirous of entering the public school sector, will be placed in the school awarded from the results of their National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).

Additionally, he noted that re-migrant learners will be placed in appropriate List A and List B schools that are closer to their homes.

“The Assistant Chief Education Officers (ACEO) and the Regional Education Officers (REO) will be responsible for ensuring that the process is done with the greatest degree of efficiency and effectiveness,” the CEO stated.

Despite the cancellation of these assessments, the NGSA will be written this year. Last month, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand highlighted that 14,300 Grade Six students across the country will write this secondary school entrance examination on August 4 and 5, 2021.

This assessment is usually written in April but has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.