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Reid pleased with Tarrant's PEP readiness

Published:Tuesday | September 4, 2018 | 12:00 AMJason Cross/Gleaner Writer
Gladstone Taylor
Minister of Education Ruel Reid watches as Samore Fearon (right) and Malik Thompson (centre) complete a performance task exercise from a Primary Exit Profile (PEP) paper, during a visit to Tarrant Primary School in St Andrew yesterday. The minister was touring schools for the second day to determine their readiness for the new academic year.

Tarrant Primary School in St Andrew has convinced Education Minister Ruel Reid that it is set and ready to attack the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) this school year, following a visit to the institution yesterday.

"Tarrant was one of the schools that indicated that they were ready for the start of the school term and for PEP. It was important to visit to reassure them of our support and to engage students and teachers, as well as to congratulate them for their readiness," the minister said.

Reid quizzed students on their knowledge of certain subject areas and how much they knew about PEP.

"I journeyed with the students about the importance of the Primary Exit Profile as a high-order exam that requires them to not only recall, but to apply the knowledge and concepts they are learning to solve problems. I explored with them various career interests and how the education system will prepare them for life. The subjects they are pursuing will be the foundation for them to be successful at the primary and higher-education levels," the minister told The Gleaner.

Reid promised that the school will be receiving much-needed attention throughout this academic year and in the future.

"I met with the board chairman and the senior teachers, and we spoke about the school improvement plan, development of the library, the resources required to provide ICT (information and communication technology) capabilities within the school. The paving of the schoolyard is a project we would like to undertake. It's about $3 million I have committed this side of the year to help with improvement to their grounds. We are very pleased about the level of leadership by the board, principal and staff, plus the enthusiasm of the students. That highlights our readiness for back-to-school," he noted.

Chairman of the school board, Annalise Harewood, said Tarrant Primary is in the same position as other primary schools where PEP is concerned.

"We received the curriculum yesterday (Tuesday) and we have put in the same preparatory steps as all the other schools," she said.

jason.cross@gleanerjm.com