Most students sat exams; schools to reopen today

Most students were able to sit their Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations yesterday, stated Minister of Education, Youth and Information Ruel Reid.

"We had a few students from the Buff Bay Valley in Portland and a few across the country who weren't able to. The procedure for students who have missed their exams is that they would have to report to the school directly, and we will send a report to the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) and they will make a determination as to what remedy they are likely to offer," Reid explained at a press briefing held at Jamaica House to update the nation on the impact of the heavy rains that have been affecting the island since Saturday.

He added, "There are usually two remedies. Either we do a supplementary paper, depending on how many students across the island have been affected, and the other alternative would be to use internal grades and forecast grades as the final determination of their scores."

Students who were due to sit industrial technology, textiles and clothing, agriculture, mechanical engineering,

French, computer science, geography, entrepreneurship, and electrical and electronic technology were advised to go the nearest examination centre if possible.

Parishes most affected by the persistent heavy rainfall are St Elizabeth, St Thomas, Kingston and St Andrew, St Catherine, Clarendon, Manchester, Westmorland, St Mary, Portland, and St Ann.

The inclement weather led to schools across the island being closed yesterday. However, Reid said where possible, schools should reopen today, while noting that the local authorities and the regional directors would manage the reopening on the ground.

"We will assess the accessibility to our schools. Some of them would have had some leaks, and so some cleaning up will have to take place. We are going to monitor the situation and give the public regular updates on the matter," said the minister.