| The doors of the Ministry of Education are open to parents who have concerns about the schools to which their children have been assigned based on the 2009 Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).According to Education Minister, Shaik Baksh,Rickey Jackson Saints Jersey, officers of the Ministry are available to meet with parents, a process that several parents have already taken advantage of.The Minister said that parents are enlightened about the criteria for the placement of candidates including the fact that schools no longer have a cut off system,Johnny Unitas Colts Jersey, since those with the same classification can be found countrywide.Schools are classified as Sixth Form, and class ‘A’, ‘B’,Derrick Thomas Chiefs Jersey, ‘C’ and ‘D’ schools. Minister Baksh explained that the classification is based on the performance index over a three-year period at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC).The Minister noted that the possibility exists that from year to year a school can move from one classification to another depending on the CSEC performance.Baksh said that in the past there were cut off points for individual schools.However,Greg Lloyd Steelers Jersey, the Ministry has put in place the cut off score for schools based on the classification in which they fall, he said.“This will help us avoid the hardship of children travelling long distances. It will minimise those problems so that children can be allocated to schools nearer to where they live.”However, Minister Baksh noted that it is expected that some parents will seek to have their children transferred to other schools, adding that precaution must be taken in the transfer process.He said that parents will have to be sensitised to the fact that in any given area there are schools that equally fall into the same category. Once candidates have the score for a Grade ‘A’ school they will justly be placed.He pointed out that in New Amsterdam,Darrell Green Redskins Jersey, the Berbice High School and the New Amsterdam Secondary School are both classified as Grade ‘A’ schools as are the Abrams Zuil Secondary and the Anna Regina Multilateral School in Region Two.However, the Minister noted that despite the classifications, some persons are still of the perception that New Amsterdam Secondary and the Anna Regina Schools are of a higher standard. He emphasised that the Ministry has been able to deduce the classification of the schools through their CSEC performances.Meanwhile,Dave Robinson Packers Jersey, the Ministry,Lynn Swann Steelers Jersey, in recognition of the fact that very few candidates from hinterland schools placed among the top one percent, has engaged a plan to improve performances. According to Minister Baksh,Doug Williams Redskins Jersey, the main problem faced in the far flung schools lies in the fact that there are limited trained teachers available there.He said that the Ministry has commenced a distance education programme which has so far allowed for the training of hundreds of teachers.He said that the Ministry has a long way to go before it is able to train the number of teachers required to fully address the problem.Incentives will be offered to teachers to leave the coastland and teach in hinterland areas. In addition to the incentives, Minister Baksh said that teachers will become eligible for a housing allowance which will be introduced from September 1, 2009.The teaching process will also be boosted, according to the Minister, with support of volunteer teachers.Through the volunteer programme,Kevin Greene Steelers Jersey, the Minister said that about 50 volunteer teachers will be dispatched to schools in Regions One, Eight and Nine. |
