The Ministry of Education (MoE) yesterday engaged the parents of CAPE and CSEC-level students from regions 1, 8, 9 and 10 on its plans to prepare for the sitting of exams next year.
With the National COVID-19 Task Force the reopening of schools by the MoE as it prepares the fourth, fifth and sixth formers for the Caribbean Examination Council’s (CXC) examinations guidelines that will minimise the risks of the novel coronavirus transmission in schools are expected to be followed.
Speaking to parents yesterday during a virtual engagement, MoE Superintendent of Examinations Sauda Kadir-Grant broke down the cost for both CAPE and CSEC exams. She said that the price which was released by the council for CSEC subjects is $8,300 for the first subject while additional subjects will cost $4,700. For CAPE, the first Unit will cost $9,900 with every additional unit costing $6,200. She noted that persons writing two subjects will pay $13,000, three subjects would cost $17,700 and so on. The deadline for payments is December 4. Parents were advised to start having discussions with their child/children about the amount of subjects they intend to write in order to acquire the necessary fees. They were also reminded that when schools are reopened (the date is to be announced today) parents will be able to uplift subsidy forms if they so desire. Eligibility will be determined by the parent’s income or subject recommendation.
Assignment Chief Education Officer (Secondary), Ameer Ali, also addressed the parents and told them that the school would be responsible for keeping track of the completion of the School Based Assessments (SBA). He said that because every school should know where they are in regards to the completion of the SBAs, the schools will be responsible for formulating timetables that will enable the individual schools to complete them. This will be overlooked by the Ministry as well.
During the meeting parents were told that the schools with dormitories will also be opened to facilitate the students during the week. They were also told that the Ministry is not aware of the form or structure of the exam but the syllabus has to be completed either way. This will prepare the students for whatever form the exam takes next year. This year the exam was administered in a Paper I and SBA format after dropping the Paper II component. However, due to many students being unhappy with their grades, CXC is considering the format to be used next year. Additionally, students will get a short break for Christmas before returning to school, Hutson told the parents.
The Chief Education Officer, Dr Marcel Hutson, was also accompanied by a team from the MoE yesterday when he met with representatives of the Guyana Police Force Traffic Department, Deputy Traffic Officer – Stephen Harris, President of the United Mini Bus Union, Eon Andrews; Pastor Felix Walker of Route 42, United Mini Bus Society; Gobin Persaud of route 44 United Mini Bus Society (UG); Director of the Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Muriel Innis Duke; and Senior Consu-mer Affairs Officer, Kushana Archer, of the Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Com-merce; to discuss transportation service, safety and security of students for the re-opening of Secondary schools for Grades 10,11 and CAPE students.
The Ministry will be holding a press conference today, where it is expected to make final announcements regarding the opening date for schools.
