By Sue-Ann Wayow
NOT every pupil writing two major examinations on Monday was able to write the exams due to flooding.
The Ministry of Education stated that it made efforts to assist pupils writing the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE), but they were unsuccessful in assisting all affected.
The Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) that oversees the examinations does not schedule make-up exams.
Minister in the Ministry of Education Lisa Morris-Julian gave an update on the situation on Tuesday in the Senate in response to an urgent question asked by Opposition Senator Wade Mark.
She said, “In cases like these which have occurred previously, the Ministry of Education collects verified students’ specific data from schools and makes representation to CXC for compassionate consideration on behalf of the students who were not able to sit the examinations.”
Marks in those cases were awarded using a pro-rating system and the submission of School Based Assessments (SBAs).
Morris-Julian said principals were requested on Monday to send in the necessary information to the Ministry of Education.
“This is presently being received and collated by the Ministry of Education for submission to CXC,” she said.
Parents of affected pupils were also advised to liaise with the relevant school principal to ensure that their children’s name was on the list to be submitted to the Ministry of Education and CXC.
In a supplemental question, Mark asked if the ministry had any contingency plan from the weekend given the weather advisories by the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS).
Morris-Julian responded that she will obtain that information and provide the answer at a later stage.
At the recent PM press briefing the Prime Minister indicated that plans were in place to mitigate flooding issues. I believe this statement was a “copout “. Did he and by extension the MOE , not anticipate our school children would be affected and those who were sitting exams were most likely to be adversely affected. A simple contingency plan would have assisted the kids sitting exams. All that was needed was common sense. The current govt is callous with respect to the development of our most treasured asset which are the future of TT….dont tote..vote the PNM out