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Primary Five exams likely out by next year – Education Minister

Minister for Education and Culture Hon. Myron V. Walwyn hinted that the introduction of Key Stage Testing in the Territory is likely to replace the current Primary Five Examination as early as next year. Photo: VINO/File
The testing will serve as a reference point to gather complete, accurate and relevant data, Territory-wide on student’s performance. It will also hold schools accountable for the standard of attainment and progress made by respective students and serve as a benchmark between schools to monitor performance, locally and internationally. Photo: VINO/File
The testing will serve as a reference point to gather complete, accurate and relevant data, Territory-wide on student’s performance. It will also hold schools accountable for the standard of attainment and progress made by respective students and serve as a benchmark between schools to monitor performance, locally and internationally. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Minister for Education and Culture Hon. Myron V. Walwyn hinted that the introduction of Key Stage Testing in the Territory is likely to replace the current Primary Five Examination as early as next year.

Speaking on the NDP radio programme aired on November 4, 2013, Hon Walwyn said “it’s only a matter of time, because we expect that one of the key stages would be testing at Primary Five.”

“It’s very possible that this year may be the very last of Primary Five [Exams] as we know it,” he stated.

He added that the testing would not simply be for moving on, but rather for seeing where students are so that when they move on to first form in the high school teachers would know their competency level in various areas.

In a release issued earlier, it was announced that Key Stage Testing is the evaluation of a student’s ability to master age appropriate knowledge and skills at key development stages during their formal education.

The testing will serve as a reference point to gather complete, accurate and relevant data, Territory-wide on student’s performance. It will also hold schools accountable for the standard of attainment and progress made by respective students and serve as a benchmark between schools to monitor performance, locally and internationally.

Other benefits of Key Stage Testing are to allow educational specialists to analyse gaps and project future trends, allow policy makers to make more informed decision and inform parents of their child’s skills and aptitude.

The Ministry is hoping to implement four key stages in a child’s formal education which will be evaluated with five broad standardised tests which will be administered at stage one, class three, class five, form three and form five.

The test will not only be content based but will test student’s ability to think critically as it will include the testing of application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation skills.

Presently, only two key stages are being administered, at class five and at form five. With the implementation of the Key Stage Testing, the format of Primary Five will take on a new role. A strong remediation system will also be implemented as the Ministry is hoping to reduce the current retention level.

The Minister and the Department of Education are encouraging the public to attend public meetings scheduled for this Wednesday, November 6, 2013 at 7:30 P.M. at Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall and on November 13, 2013 at the Catholic Community Centre in Virgin Gorda at 7:30 P.M.

He encouraged persons to come out to the meeting to be fully informed of the next step in education.

20 Responses to “Primary Five exams likely out by next year – Education Minister”

  • Yes (06/11/2013, 08:17) Like (6) Dislike (8) Reply

    Whether this is good or not or whether it will be done or not I don't know but what I know is that M*** trying his best to put every little thing in the media to try his best to take the media's spot light off of the corruption of his NDP Government. It ain't going to work bro.

  • Good PR (06/11/2013, 08:21) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    Myron doing some good PR but as a teacher let me remind you that he is taking this angle so that we can forget that ALL this & a lot of what he is doing is what is required to be done to allow for our education system to become fully accredited but he wouldn't say that because that because that would give credit to FAHIE who started the process. As far as Myron is concern FAHIE did no good for education. That's the one thing about him I can't stand.
    • Native Boy (06/11/2013, 10:10) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
      Myron, Myron, Myron! I am sick to death of hearing about that name.
    • @ Good PR (06/11/2013, 13:22) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      Finally someone has the nerve to challenge the public relations spin of this man and he speech writer!!!!!
  • super man (06/11/2013, 08:26) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    NDP OUT BY NEXT YEAR ALSO!!!
  • ooooo (06/11/2013, 08:27) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    more experiments?
  • weed (06/11/2013, 08:45) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    If it’s no broke why fix it?
  • ta ta (06/11/2013, 09:01) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    That gang is something else eh
  • insider (06/11/2013, 09:45) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply

    Well dem say the man working hard meeting with he committee every months and going to the outtta islands he is determine to win again but trust I we putting every last NDP out every last one so keep trying hard but you ah gone even members in your committee who you would not listen to saying it privately especially that girl who work at the airport.

    • ooooo (06/11/2013, 22:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      No full stop atall?.. I thought it was political ignorance, but its more like lack of education ignorance.
  • Virgin Son (06/11/2013, 10:07) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    One question, why is this the only option for our children?

  • the cat mother (06/11/2013, 10:15) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Suprised we have not heard anything from mvw deloris Museum...
  • tortolaman (06/11/2013, 11:34) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    People, people, people for heaven sake do not allow the NDP to chnage the subject from the corruption in the ports project reported by the auditor general
  • Hammer (06/11/2013, 20:12) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    I would like Myron to give the number of children that drop out of the Elmore Stout high school for the year 2012-2013, I know its the highest ever in the history of the British Virgin Islands.
  • one eye roster (06/11/2013, 21:24) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply

    boy you trying hard M***n but we can see right through it you are not Genuine

  • ooooo (06/11/2013, 22:49) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Insane political ignorance is rampant. Sad to see that there are persons with ur ignorance among us.


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