Tuesday June 3, 2003

Why replace the SSEE? –NCERD’s Director outlines benefits - Better student assessment, improved education system cited

During the past few years the Government has made substantial efforts to upgrade the educational system in the country. The 2003 National Budget has allocated $7.3 billion for the improvement of Basic Education Access and Management System Programme which concentrates on curriculum development and technology improvement.

As part of its mandate to improve the education system, the Ministry has proposed a change in the placement examination, Secondary School Entrance Examination (SSEE). The Student Assessment system will be implemented in 2006. During this period teachers will be upgraded to facilitate the system.

Students at every level in primary schools are exposed to the end of term tests which are used to promote the child from one level to another. Research has shown that the real diagnostic element is not utilised and there is no careful attention given to the weaknesses of the students

With the new three phase assessment system, teachers can assess students’ weakness from an early age and raise their level of achievement. Parents will be able to monitor a child from Grade 2 and work on areas of direct weaknesses to rectify the problem at an early stage.

The student assessment process started in the year 2000, with pilot projects. The teachers’ annual examination papers throughout the country were integrated and used as the model country wide enabling all teachers to be at the same level. This process was carried by experienced practicing teachers from the University of Guyana and Cyril Potter College of Education.

The students will be assessed at three different phases in the primary level from a factor percentage basic: in grade 2, the child will be graded 20%, 30% at grade 4 and 50% at grade 6, the class reports will be more comprehensive and parents will be able to participate more in the child’s education.

One of the objectives is the removal of elite structure and making the secondary educational system equal at all levels, and on par. The new system enables all secondary schools to be on the same levels, resulting in a system of zoning, where students will attend their neighborhood secondary school. Mechanisms are in place for the upgrading of teachers, facilities and introducing additional subject in the curriculum.

Many countries in the Caribbean have adopted this assessment system, In St Kitts, tests of standards are done at Grades 3, 4, 5 and 6.In Jamaica, assessments is done at Grades1, 3, 4 and 6.In Dominica, Grade 2 assessment was introduced when it was found that pupils in Grade 3 were reading at a Grade 1 level. In Barbados the assessment systems are done at Grades 2, 3, 4 and 5.
The assessment system is supported by the Guyana Teachers Union (G.T.U). Teachers will now plan their lesions to match the capabilities of all their students, and identify the specific learning difficulties of individual students. The system of assessment will allow parents to better understand the progress of their children and make the relevant interventions.
TOP