Education Minister Anthony Garcia yesterday said the date for the Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) will be pushed forward for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday at the Ministry of Education’s head office 0n St Vincent Street, in Port-of-Spain, Garcia said the date was brought forward from May to the month of March.
“Cabinet has decided from the academic year 2018-2019 the SEA will be held on the last week of the second term which is March and not May.”
He said the pupils in Standard Four this year would write examination in March in 2019.
“The exam allows access from primary to secondary school and it started in 1962, named Common Entrance. In 2001 the format was changed and SEA was introduced and the exam held towards the end of the second term. In 2012 it was changed to May to give teachers extra time to improve their performance,” he said. Chief education officer Harrilal Seecharam, who attended the press conference, said the date change created time and a process for loading marks, registration, early response to transfers, the reduction of stressful parents and savings of lessons fees.
On the topic of teachers requesting large sums of money for building funds or other school donations, Garcia said: “Parents don’t have to contribute. You are not compelled to do so.” He said efforts were made to assist schools while voluntary contributions can be made by parents.”
Garcia said teachers who were behind on the syllabus and offering lessons, was a cause for concern.
“I was a teacher myself and taught lessons and teachers not teaching the syllabus and it has no evidence of that. in all my years teachers have been working hard. Parents insist on giving private lessons and pressure is brought in my parents. Parents get anxious and are in a state of panic,” he said.
The minister said all ministry stakeholders should unite and work together for the interest of the children