What’s the value of exam results?

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Undue pressure continues to mount on children regarding performance results in external examinations. The real measure of growth lies in the school transcript of any school age cohort. Greater emphasis and value needs to be placed on that than a three hour per subject fling.

Examinations in English language, literature and mathematics, in particular, are not easy. Examination preparation requires constant detailed practice with precision. A bad day, deplorable transportation options, limited access to computers and nutrition reduce the probability of high performance in examinations.

Students need practical application of these skills. Income-earning possibilities must be supplied to parents, students and school staff.

The education sector is one of the chief economic driving force. Even when it is said that “everything pop down”, September morning sees the bright eager faces of children and their parents. Teachers don the best suits and the dynamic interactions commence. CXC has earned a strong reputation for assessment by universities. A grade one is a determinant for secure entry to the professional programmes like law and medicine. However, the vast majority who are sacrificing paying examination fees cannot be left to wallow in failure branding.

Minister of the Gospel Michael Maragh, in a viral video, shared his experience of realistically sitting one subject per year until achieving matriculation requirements to the University of Technology. He jokingly notes ‘Yuh teck’ (yuh go deh and get want yuh want) and today he boasts of attaining higher-level qualifications. He only passed one subject after five years at high school but today is a distinguished financial professional. The dream to achieve is with all. As Louise Bennett admonished in her poem New Scholar, “nuh treat ‘im rough”. No corporal punishment by hand or tongue.

RETRYING EDUCATOR