GSAT ends with passing grade
Published:Friday | March 17, 2017 | 12:00 AM
By all indications, officials at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information were unanimous in their declaration of a successful final day of the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT). Overall, the ministry was satisfied with the outcome of the two-day exams.
Yesterday, more than 39,000 students sat language arts, communication task and science across 1,109 examination centres. On Thursday, they sat the mathematics and social studies papers.
"The ministry is satisfied with the preparations, as the students were able to sit their exams comfortably. The ministry team was able to put in place adequate measures to mitigate any problems that would have arisen," Collin Steer, director of corporate communications at the ministry, told The Gleaner.
"We were able to supply the centres with additional papers. Where students were ill, they got medical attention upon advice of their medical doctors, parents, and were given additional time to complete the exams."
FEVER AND CAR ACCIDENT
Steer disclosed that two students fell ill with fever and three others had slight injuries from a car accident en route to their examination centre in Ocho Rios, St Ann. However, after medical checks and counselling, they were all allowed to sit the examination.
Minister of State Floyd Green extended praises to school officials for the successful administering of the exams over the two-day period, while urging parents to provide continued support for their children.
He also encouraged students to continue to work to improve their weaker areas in their pursuit of knowledge in preparation for secondary education.
GSAT students are expected to know their secondary school placements by June.