Take ‘fresh look at purpose’ of 11-plus

Abolishing the Barbados Secondary Schools Entrance Examination (BSSEE) without sharing the details of an alternative assessment would leave thousands of students at a major disadvantage says immediate past president of the Association of Public Primary Schools Principals, Dr Hyacinth Harris.

While pointing out that assessments such as the BSSEE or the Common Entrance were important, she reasoned that the purpose of the tests had to be reassessed.

“Clearly the lack of publicised information, even as we approach the end of this year’s Common Entrance, would suggest that it would be disingenuous to introduce a new assessment on the next cohort of Class Four students,” Harris said.

She made those comments Wednesday during a Barbados Union of Teachers’ (BUT) town hall meeting, Honest Conversations On Education Reform II: Implications For Students, Parents, Teachers, School, Society And Economy.

Although Harris said the BSSEE was a great way to highlight the high flyers and students who earned the highest marks, she said any replacement assessment needed to also highlight the achievements of the students who improved significantly. (TG)

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