THE EDITOR, Madam:

Each new school year, post-mortems are done to ascertain the cause and effect of examination done by and for primary students to transition to high schools. The appropriate authority seems unable to come up with a permanent fix in helping our children, without due stress, to be able to successfully continue their education while moving from primary to secondary.

As it relates to students having to sit an exam for the purpose of entering high school, it is my strong and personal view that this needs to be abolished. Alternative arrangements to the current structure could be:

1. Use term/semester in class tests as a means of assessment.

2. Starting from grade four, their class work, to include assignments given and completed, could form a part of their final grade.

3. Involve in the assessment and grading, both their aptitude and attitude towards certain subjects. This will give an early indication as to their likely interest; whether they have an inclination for the sciences, arts or technical subjects.

4. Continue with the parents, teachers and students consultation. Parent-teacher association meetings and its attendance by parents should form part of the discussion. This will aid in holding parents/guardians more accountable for their children’s well-being.

5. Allow the students to track and keep records of their performance/grades; making them accountable for their work.

6. At the end of grade six, employ an approach similar to the grade point average system. This will not be used for the sole purpose of placement. Instead, it will help the school receiving a student, to have a better understanding of the level the child is at, and provide intervention where necessary.

7. Do all that is necessary to remove the stigma that is associated with some high schools.

DALBERT LAING