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Pass grades in public sec. schools to be reviewed

-Examination Board to be set up
Minister for Education and Culture Hon. Myron Walwyn. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Minister for Education and Culture, Hon. Myron Walwyn, disclosed that an ad hoc committee has been formed “to look at standards as it relates to the examination system” at the secondary level, and it will review the grades for the past three years.

In his statement during the 2nd Sitting of the 2nd House of Assembly (HOA) held on Monday, December 19, 2011, the Education Minister emphasised the move isn’t about a vendetta.

“I want to make it clear that this is not looking at grades...to see if persons passed or not. This is about how we do things by ensuring we improve on what we do, to make sure high standards are maintained at all time. To ensure that standards are not being lowered and that our children are on par with the rest of the world,” Hon. Walwyn told HOA members yesterday December 19, 2011.

To this end, the Minister intends to set up an Examination Board, which will help to address such areas as accountability, transparency, quality assurance, standards, improve weaknesses and maintain the Territory’s education strengths.

In expounding on its role, Hon. Walwyn stated the Board “will be able to look at what presently pertains and make recommendations on how the examinations system can be improved.”

He also said the Education Ministry is prepared to have the Board ready to deliver exams for the primary and secondary 2012-2013 school terms.

Meanwhile, the curriculum for public secondary schools will be reviewed, the Education Minister added. “Madam Speaker it is my intention to have Financial Services, followed by Tourism to be part of the curriculum in secondary schools. These industries have been driving our economy for decades and it is time our education system acquaint ourselves and prepare them to become leaders in these sectors,” he stated.

Furthermore, re-instating the Education Advisory Board is also on the cards. According to Minister Walwyn, it has not functioned since 2008. He added, “I think it is an important Board mandated by the Education Act. Politicians may think they have all the answers but we don’t always have the best ideas, but by utilising the knowledge of education professionals, administrators and businessmen and women – they can advise the Ministry.”

Revising the Education Act, which will include giving Principals more autonomy in running their schools, will also be brought to the HOA soon.

7 Responses to “Pass grades in public sec. schools to be reviewed”

  • Hmmm (20/12/2011, 09:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Please do so Mr. minister. My child came home with a 78% and I was shocked to see an A marked next to it. Well you know we had that talk and I told him never to accept an A unless it was a score of 90 and above.
    • billy b (20/12/2011, 11:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      When I went to school, 78% was a B+, 80 was an A-. I love you Andrew but this is not the path to get from good to great. This following the yellow brick road to fantasy land
    • funny man minister (20/12/2011, 16:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      the onliest thing that needs to be review is the constitution so we can sign the petition that u is not eligible to sit in the house of assembly
  • Wow (20/12/2011, 09:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Take that.......if you smell...llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll what the Rock is cooking. Structure is what runs any organization not mass confusion.
  • egg face (20/12/2011, 11:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    so in other words he is saying again Andrew did nothing for education....but still Andrew finds it necessary to kiss up to the NDP...
  • Haa! (20/12/2011, 11:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Brown Bummer going to get exposed for his years of smoke screens!


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