Eight hundred and fifty-four students from various primary schools in Dominica are writing the Grade Six National Assessment (G6NA) exams today and tomorrow.
This year 417 girls and 437 boys will write the exams.
According to Education Minister, Octavia Alfred, while the exam will follow the same format as in the past, this year, one paper, the Social Sciences paper, will be done in an online format.
She said today, students will write the Language Arts and Social Sciences papers, while on Friday, they will write the Mathematics and Science and Technology Papers.
“All papers are in multiple-choice format with the language arts having an additional written composition paper,” Alfred stated.
She said students have already been given practice in taking these tests and they have done two mock exams online. The Minister added that her ministry has also made every effort to ensure that students will be seated at least three feet away from each other.
She went on to say that her ministry will continue to observe the Covid-19 protocols, such as the wearing of masks and sanitization of hands.
Alfred said that her ministry also stands in solidarity with the St Martin Primary School who lost a grade 6 student, due to death, this week.
“And with the Warner Primary School we remain focused, we remain prayerful and hopeful that Kernisha will be brought back home safely,” Alfred stated.
The Ministry of Education requests that parents or anyone not directly involved with the exams should stay away from the testing centres while the examinations are in progress.
Meanwhile, Senior Education Officer for Curriculum, Measurement, and Evaluation, Robert Guiste warns parents to avoid pressuring students as they prepare to write the exams.
“Parents what I can tell you is your students have been at school for 7 years, if your student is not ready now they will not be ready again, so it makes no sense forcing them to cram three years [of] work, you should have been supporting them, continue to support them, go over their work with them, but don’t pressure them because the more pressure they are under the more difficult it’s going to be for them to get their answers to do the exams comfortably,” Guiste remarked.
He continued, “The students are doing the exams for them and not for you, so help them relax.”
The Ministry of Education, Human Resource Planning, Vocational Training, and National Excellence wishes every student success in the assessment.
My 2017 DNO Commentary “Life Beyond Common Entrance” remains relevant.
https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/features/commentary/commentary-life-beyond-the-common-entrance/
As does also my 2018 Commentary “My School Report”.
https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/features/commentary/commentary-my-school-report/
Nothing has changed!