The Editor, Sir:

The policy initiative of the People's National Party (PNP) government to implement the grade six achievement test (GSAT) to replace the most feared common entrance examination in 1999 was well received by educational practitioners across the length and breadth of the educational landscape.

After nearly 10 years, the Ministry of Education and Youth is again crying wolf.

Many of my articles to this paper had suggested that the GSAT had failed to achieve its intended objectives. Subsequently, an overhaul of the terminal assessment for primary school students is inevitable. I have very high respect for former education minister, Burchell Whiteman who brought some far-reaching changes to the education system in his time. But, at long last, we have an education minister who is taking a pragmatic approach to the administering of educational assessments at the primary level. However, I want to caution the education policymakers to tread carefully lest the changes they seek to bring about are more of the same. Sometimes the more we change is the more we remain the same or even end up worse.

Short on implementation

It is fair to say that many of our policymakers are tall on ideas but short on implementation and so any move to change aspects of the GSAT must be well thought-out. I do not believe that the children should be given one opportunity to sit such an examination. More opportunities should be given to them so that they can redeem themselves.

Second, the Government needs to return to the secondary schools that once catered for the technical and vocational needs of these students who are less academically inclined.

Since common entrance was replaced with GSAT the quality of education has been adulterated. Most of our students no longer see the need to work hard since they will be rewarded with a place in a 'high school' whether or not they write anything on the paper. Their attitude has manifested itself in their performance in the Caribbean Secondary Education Council Examination (CSEC), thus producing examination results that are less than desirable.

Cards are stacked against teachers

Creative ways must be found to effect these changes so that the billions of dollars of taxpayers' money do not go up in flames as it has in the past.

Time is against us, so how much longer do we have to wait before we begin to get value for money? The cards are stacked against teachers and the only available option that is left to us now is to teach people's children, love them and leave them. The ministry of education is bent on stripping school administrators and teachers of the autonomy within the confines of the classrooms. No wonder those of us who are in, want to get out, and those outside do not wish to get in. Oh! What a tangled web we weave!

I am, etc.,

HARVEY BROWN

Harveybrown2008@yahoo.com