School of Excellence not ready- Placement concerns at St Ann's Bay Primary

Carl Gilchrist, Gleaner Writer

Over 80 of the 247 GSAT students at the St Ann's Bay Primary School have been selected to attend the Ministry of Education's (MOE) School of Excellence in St Ann. But the school, to be sited in Steer Town, is not yet ready.

"They were not placed in any of their five choices," vice-principal for the school's afternoon shift, Marlyn Thomas, explained to The Gleaner.

Thomas said the students would occupy section of a basic school at Mansfield in Ocho Rios come September until the Steer Town facility is ready.

Neither school officials nor parents were informed, prior to the sitting of the GSAT, that students from the school might have been selected for the School of Excellence. The selection caught all concerned by surprise.

It was only on Thursday when the school's principal visited the MOE regional office in Brown's Town that she was informed and given letters to deliver to parents.

"Some students were a bit disappointed, but the parents seem quite hopeful. They took it quite well," Thomas said.

Thomas gave the idea of a school of excellence the thumbs-up, saying it was something teachers have been clamouring for, as there are students who need special attention because of their brilliance.

She further explained that a meeting is to be held next week involving the parents and ministry officials regarding the situation.

Disappointed

Another concern highlighted was the placement of some students to schools that they had not selected.

"We are disappointed with what seems to be a shift in the placement of students, that we were not notified of," Thomas said.

She explained that a number of students were sent to Ocho Rios High and Marcus Garvey Technical High although they got scores in the 80s and 90s and had not selected those schools. On the other hand, only about four of quite a number of students who selected York Castle High were awarded places there.

Thomas said that the grades for the GSAT were good.

"Overall, I think our students did very well. There was a student who got 98 per cent in mathematics. We are quite satisfied based on what we know the students are capable of. I think the grades have been very good."