Primary Exit Profile to roll out

2017/18 academic year

The Ministry of Education is targeting the 2017/18 academic year for roll out of the Primary Exit Profile (PEP), which is slated to replace the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT).

Chief Education Officer Dr Grace McLean says the PEP aims to assist in alleviating existing challenges associated with long distances traversed by secondary students to get to school, by introducing zoning to place youngsters in institutions close to their homes.

Speaking at a recent Jamaica Information Service Think Tank, at the Agency's head office, in Kingston, McLean, in addressing public concerns over the issue of long distance commute by students, assured that when approved, the PEP "will ensure that parents have the option to place students closer to where they live".

She, however, acknowledged that some parents would prefer that their children be placed "close to ... where they work".

McLean informed, however, that the zoning concept is not new, as it was instituted during the 2013/14 academic year to place approximately 3,000 Programme of Advancement through Health and Education beneficiary students.