Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter

The Ministry of Education has implemented new measures to secure this year's Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) papers, after the 2007 paper was leaked to a private institution in St Andrew.

A parent is now challenging the Education Ministry in court after she said her child recorded the highest score in the examination. However, the ministry claimed the student had prior exposure to the 2007 GSAT papers, which had been leaked to a GSAT centre where she did extra lessons.

Jasper Lawrence, chief education officer in the ministry, told The Gleaner yesterday that the packages would be delivered to the regional offices, which would then arrange for principals to take custody of them.

He said that, in the past, the presiding examiner would collect the papers before the examination.

"This is a feature this year to safeguard the integrity of the examination. So, we are not burdening our examiners to have the paper," Lawrence said.

He added that principals would deliver the papers to the examiners on the morning of the examination.

Sealed scripts

After the examinations have been administered, Lawrence said, principals would receive the sealed scripts from the examiners, adding that it was not possible for anyone to open or reseal the package unless they used a new strip of tape, which would then make it obvious that the package had bentampered with.

The number of students scheduled to sit the GSAT next Thursday and Friday is 50,462, down from 53,709 last year.

The GSAT replaced the Common Entrance Examination in 1999. Performance in the test will determine the placement of students in secondary schools.

Lawrence said all was in place for the sitting of the examination, adding that all the materials had been packaged and would be delivered to the minisry's regional offices.

Stressful period

Preparing for GSAT is usually a stressful period for children. Lawrence yesterday encouraged them to ensure that they got enough sleep the night before the examination.

"Don't sit up the night before and cram anything. Be well rested and try to get there at least 15 minutes before the start of the examination," he advised.

"You will be able to do a good job once you do your work in class, so do not be too nervous or tense, because this will affect you," said Lawrence.

Lawrence encouraged students to be careful with the kind of food they ate before the examinations.

petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com