Scores of education officials were deployed across the island today to observe the administration of the Barbados Secondary Schools’ Entrance Examination (BSSEE).
Acting Minister of Educational Transformation, Sandra Husbands, along with Chief Education Officer Dr Ramona Archer-Bradshaw, deputy chief Julia Beckles and other officials, visited schools to ensure all preparations were in place.
Teachers and students were ready for the exam, with Husbands commending the principals and educators for their efforts in making students feel at ease.
“The kind of preparation and care that I have seen in the exams that did not exist when I did it. So I could appreciate the benefit that has been to the children to keep them settled and calm to be able to take their exams. In every place that we’ve examined, we’ve seen the children focused, not looking overly stressed, and quietly doing their work. So we’re praying the best for all of them,” she said.
Husbands also addressed the noticeable decrease in the number of students sitting the exam, attributing it to the country’s declining population. She said this led to some schools becoming smaller and stated that discussions on amalgamating schools were ongoing.
While fewer students are participating, Husbands emphasised that each child mattered, regardless of the decline.
She spoke about the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to transform the education system, highlighting teacher training programs and initiatives to support children with special needs.
“So many things have been going. And especially, we are putting particular attention on children with special needs. We’ve trained 32 additional persons in how to teach special needs children. We also have a set of persons who are being trained to deal with children with autism. And so what we’re doing, we’re trying to bring about an integrated program that allows an inclusiveness in our schools so that every child matters means something to a special needs child and to a special needs family.”
Former Minister Chad Blackman tendered his resignation and is now the official Barbados Labour Party candidate for St James North. He was being nominated while Husbands was making the tour. She will act until May 21.