GSAT not a good choice
published: Wednesday | June 16, 2004

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I FIRMLY believe that the introduction of the 'Grade Six Achievement Test' (GSAT) to replace the 'Common Entrance Examinations' was not a good choice. This is because, if a student doesn't pass an examination as such, then the student should be 'held back'. Illiterate students are NOT able to manage more subjects than the basic mathematics and English Language. If students know they will still graduate whether or not they perform they won't see the need to do so. Some students are lazy and I think students who are capable of doing the work but are too lazy to do so should suffer the embarrassment of being held back while their classmates who have worked hard graduate.

When a student who isn't qualified to graduate, does graduate, it puts a strain on teachers teaching at the secondary level. Teachers are forced to go at a slower pace as students who are not qualified to be in the institution have been dumped on them because of the GSAT placement programme.

The Common Entrance Examinations delivered literate students from the primary to the secondary level, where students are now able to manage more subjects than the basic mathematics and English Language. If students know that they will be held back if they do not perform, the students will be forced to perform. The primary level of education is where it begins; students must see the need to do their schoolwork. Until this stage is corrected and is efficient then nothing will change in the upcoming secondary level students. If you only help the students at the secondary level and forget about the students at the primary level then you will have to be correcting the same problem over and over again. The earliest stage is the most important stage.

I am, etc.,

DIEDRE MOODIE

Bunnieboo21@yahoo.com

361 Winona Dr

Garveymeade Block 2F

Bridgeport P.O