By Sue-Ann Wayow
GIVEN the increasing challenges and uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the Ministry of Education is offering the option to defer the Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) to 2022.
In a memo sent to schools dated May 5 from acting Chief Education Officer Lisa Henry David, stated that after consultation with key stakeholders, primary school pupils may have to wait another year before writing the crucial exam.
SEA is carded to be written on June 10, 2021.
The ministry is allowing primary schools to apply for deferral.
It stated, “Principals are asked to submit to their respective District Office by Monday May 17, 2021, a list of applications for deferral with reasons cited for deferral and the school’s recommendation.
“The projected class size for SEA 2022 must also be included. School Supervisors are asked to collate the relevant information for their respective District and forward to the Office of the Chief Education Officer (CEO) by Friday 21 May 2021.”
However, principals should take into consideration that a request for deferral does not guarantee approval to defer, pupils who will attain the age of 15 before September 1, 2021, are not eligible for deferral, parents must submit a written request to the principal of the school stating the reason for the request for deferral.
Additionally, where medical reasons are cited, relevant supporting documents must accompany the written request for deferral.
The ministry stated that school administrators, in consultation with the class teacher, will review requests and recommend eligible candidates.
With respect to wearing the school uniform during the examination which has always been mandatory, the ministry also stated that it was aware that some children may have outgrown their uniforms but where possible pupils must wear the standard school uniform when reporting to write the SEA 2021.
As an alternative, the wearing of the school’s Physical Education uniform, or other school apparel, is permissible once it bears the school logo and the wearing of footwear that deviates from the standard colour is permissible.
Parents and guardians must seek approval from the school principal if their child is unable to wear the school uniform or other provided alternatives. Principals are to guide parents and guardians with respect to suitable attire to be worn in such absence.
And the ministry added that given the Covid-19 virtual learning challenges, some pupils may not be able to advance to a higher class.
“Principals should, therefore, seek from teachers, students who would most benefit from repeating their present class level. This course of action must be recommended by the principal and consented to by the parent. Spatial considerations also apply,” the ministry stated.
