UPDATE: Possible elimination of exams not discussed by Cabinet – Premier
“That is something that has not been discussed at Cabinet level and when the Minister has decided that it is something he would like to move forward, he will bring it to the table and we’ll have a discussion as colleagues,” Dr Smith shared during a press conference on August 30, 2013.
Premier Smith’s statement follows the recent announcement by Education Minister Hon. Myron V. Walwyn that the future of both exams may possibly be reviewed after their relevance had become questionable.
“Over the next year the relevance of the primary five exams will be brought under much scrutiny and we will be seeking the views of all stakeholders before a decision on its future is made,” said Hon. Walwyn in an address to hundreds of persons at the Professional Day activity at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) on August 26, 2013.
Hon. Walwyn stated at the time that until the discussion is further developed, he intends to act on the advice of a wide cross-section of teachers to revert to the 60% for exams and 40% for school-based assessment format.
Primary 5 Exams might be coming too late!
According to the Education Minister, the relevance of the Primary 5 Examination has now become questionable considering the Virgin Islands’ commitment to universal secondary education. “This brings into question our reliance on the Primary 5 examinations to move students on to secondary school. From the Department of Education’s perspective, this exam might be coming a little too late. We need to move on to a system that looks at testing our children at key stages of their development instead of relying on one exam to confirm their primary level education,” said Hon. Walwyn.
Secondary School Leaving Examination
“In our secondary schools we have a similar situation as we prepare those students to sit the national school leaving exams. Those exams count for 15% of the grade required to pass fifth form while 85% of the grade is based on course work in Forms Four and Five. So though we make a very big deal about the school leaving exams, it is very possible that a student can meet their graduation requirements without even sitting the exams,” said Hon. Walwyn. This, he added, brings the necessity of the school leaving certification system into question.
With some observers sharing the opinion that both exams should be kept intact and others of the mindset that an approach similar to that taken by other Caribbean countries should be pursued, it remains unclear what direction will be taken following discussions with Cabinet and other stakeholders.
See previous article posted August 27, 2013
Last year for Primary 5 & School Leaving exams?
-Education Minister says relevance of Primary 5 Exam has come into question
PARAQUITA BAY, Tortola, VI – It is highly likely that this academic school year may be the last for the Primary 5 Examinations in public schools across the Virgin Islands as the Minister for Education and Culture, Honourable Myron V. Walwyn has made public his discomfort with it.
“Over the next year the relevance of the primary five exams will be brought under much scrutiny and we will be seeking the views of all stakeholders before a decision on its future is made,” said Hon. Walwyn in an address to hundreds of persons at the Professional Day activity at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) on August 26, 2013.
He further stated that until the discussion is further developed, he intends to act on the advice of a wide cross-section of teachers to revert to the 60% for exams and 40% for school-based assessment format.
Primary 5 Exams might be coming too late!
According to the Education Minister, the relevance of the Primary 5 Examination has now become questionable considering the Virgin Islands’ commitment to universal secondary education. “This brings into question our reliance on the Primary 5 examinations to move students on to secondary school. From the Department of Education’s perspective, this exam might be coming a little too late. We need to move on to a system that looks at testing our children at key stages of their development instead of relying on one exam to confirm their primary level education,” said Hon. Walwyn.
In his attempt to justify his position, the Minister said the systems of the Primary 5 Examination and the expectations and pressures that come with it do more harm than good to a child’s psyche and esteem.
“We now have teachers who are teaching our students to pass the exam, instead of teaching them core principles that they will need to build upon as they continue their education. So we have successfully produced young people who can pass an exam but fail to relate that information throughout their lives and throughout their formal educational development.”
Fate of National School Leaving Examination
“In our secondary schools we have a similar situation as we prepare those students to sit the national school leaving exams. Those exams count for 15% of the grade required to pass fifth form while 85% of the grade is based on course work in Forms Four and Five. So though we make a very big deal about the school leaving exams, it is very possible that a student can meet their graduation requirements without even sitting the exams,” said Hon. Walwyn. This, he added, brings the necessity of the school leaving certification system into question.
The Minister for Education said a credit system is one that can be considered since students acquire credits to graduate starting from Form One straight up to Form Five. “Upon attaining the relevant credits they will then receive their school-leaving certificate, similar to the traditional college credit system.” He also noted that it alleviates the pressure students face by having to prepare for both the School Leaving Exams and the now mandatory Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Exam that is administered by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC).
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30 Responses to “UPDATE: Possible elimination of exams not discussed by Cabinet – Premier”
In Singapore teachers are paid because their student excel, not because they teach a class, if one student fail, that teacher will not get increment on their salary. We need new approach here in the BVI, how about going paperless for fifth form students. This will increase their ability to type quicker, think quicker and managed time. Because in college this is the behavior they will have to adopt, so giving this opportunity to High School Students will help them.
I do agree that parents have a very important role to play. I always tell my daughters that when I stay up in the nights and late afternoon at the library with them, it is because I want to see them succeed at what they do. I sacrifice and make the commitment for them to go to school so that they can have the right behavior that is acceptable in society, that they can have high grades, and they can demand the jobs they are qualify for. I sacrifice my education so that they can have theirs. I make sure they attend church each week. I kept the worship session with them to allow them to see that their forefathers (both male & female) believe in God and that through God there is strong power. But lets face reality, I cannot promise no one that now they are of age, they will not want to see what else the world have to offer; and this is where many people loose their children to social behavior that is not acceptable. Regardless, of what happen to our children, parents are accountable and responsible.
We cannot sit and say that it is Jane daughter and Eddy Son them who is making trouble in the neigbourhood. We have to do like the old days, where the principles of life were instill in children, always use the golden rule " treat others as you want them to treat you". Look out for each other and help the neighbourhood children know that they must seek to educate themselves so that they can get jobs or create their own business. Let us help those parents who do not have the skills to manage their children future.
I must say I like the thoughts you brought to the forum.