students in to homes P

10 NEWS SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM Opting out of NGSA will land students in schools closest to homes

…as Guyana keeps paper modality for CAPE, CSEC

Mixed reactions placements, however, do not One along with the subhave been shared include an ‘A’ or ‘national’ mission of the respective by parents whose school. School-Based Assessment children will have to return The following year after (SBA). Private candidates to school for examinations, completing the Grade Seven will have to complete Paper citing the health risks inlevel, provisions will be in One and the alternative pavolved during the times of place for them to write a per instead. This structure COVID-19. placement test. If they score does not apply for Modern

It was in this regard above 70 per cent, a higher Languages, Visual Arts and; that the National Grade school will be awarded. Human and Social Biology. Six Assessment and those “If the parents opt not to For the NGSA, four core under the Caribbean have their children or child subject areas will be tested Examination Council – write this examination, on July 1 and 2. the Caribbean Secondary there is nothing we can do to Education Certificate and force them. However, in not Protocols the Caribbean Advanced doing so, they will be placed The Education Ministry Proficiency Examination at the school closest to them. is assuring that all safety – were postponed to later If they are not satisfied or protocols will be implementdates.

Now, the Education perhaps if they have any other questions about being Chief Education Officer Ingrid Trotman ed to ensure both students and educators are safe durMinistry has employed new placed at the school closest teachers. the paper modalities coning this time. According to protocols for students to sit to them, there is what we tinue for all examinations. education officials, every the exams in a classroom call the placement examinaModalities Trotman said Guyana and scenario has been catered setting and those who opt tion and that is done during Through approval three other countries objectfor ‘from the gate to the not to write the NGSA will the July month,” she posifrom Caricom’s Council ed to the modified version of classroom and back’. not be given any preferentioned. for Human and Social CSEC and CAPE. Since the According to Director tial alternative. Thus far, online learnDevelopment (COHSOD) country is ill-equipped to of the National Centre

Speaking on the mating has been implementand engagements with carry out e-testing, a paper for Education Resource ter during a webinar on ed through several online stakeholders such as the will be allocated for them to Development, Jennifer Friday, Chief Education platforms to keep students Pan American Health complete. Cumberbatch, sinks were Officer Ingrid Trotman said abreast with the curriculum. Organisation (PAHO), the A total of 11,998 stuplaced at the entrance of parents can decide whether With regards to concerns United Nations Children’s dents are registered to schools and students will they want their children to raised by the Amerindian Fund (UNICEF), Caribbean write the CSEC exams from not be permitted to enter sit the secondary entrance People’s Association (APA) Public Health Agency July 13 to August 4, while without wearing a mask. examination. However, if about access to hinterland (CARPHA), the Guyana 852 are registered to write They will be given hygiene they do not, these students students, these were taken Teacher’s Union and others, CAPE from July 13 to July kits to use during these pewill be placed at a school into account and work paall sittings were scheduled 31. riods. closest to their home. These pers were later issued by for July to August. Candidates will be reTheir temperature will As in previous years, quired to answer a Paper

be checked and if it is above the average mark, they will be placed in a sickbay. Along with the fumigation of surrounding spaces, the furniture was rearranged to allow social distancing in classrooms with a maximum of 15 candidates. Only the authorised canteen will be allowed to operate at these institutions.

The CEO posited that teachers displaying any ailments or symptoms will be removed from the invigilating sessions.

She clarified, “I would like to say that teachers with ailments will be exempted once they can present evidence or proof of their illness. They will be exempted and given other duties.”

Since mid-March, 252 nursery, 453 primary, 139 secondary schools along with other technical vocational and special education centres have remained closed. Those who will be writing upcoming exams are expected to return to school from June 15.

A gazetted document provides all the necessary information needed for parents and students.