GSAT confuses parents

THE EDITOR, Sir:

THE results of the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) are quite confusing to parents, students, teachers and the public at large. Great concerns are being raised about the placements of students with regard to their grades.

All this outrage is because students weren't placed in the school of their choice or a traditional high school. It is the public which has led students to believe that it is because they are not bright so to speak, why they aren't placed into a traditional high school, and this is affecting the children. This is a concept which must be stopped.

Not enough space

Yes, it is true that all parents want to be proud of their children with regard to where they are being placed, but it is to be understood that not all students are going to be placed in their school of choice or a traditional high school because there is not enough space.

To be logical though, the recognition of a school does not have much to do with the performance of a child. It is the input of the teachers and how much a student gain from what is being taught. It is also evident that the perfor-mance of the children in the non-traditional high schools is very acceptable if not better than the traditional high schools. Students from non-traditional high schools received acceptable passes in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate exams last year and that is the result of going to high school and gaining acceptable grades in order to further your education.

I am appealing to parents to celebrate the fact that your child passed GSAT any at all, and do not put the stress or pressure on the child because they weren't placed in a traditional high school.

I am, etc.,

Diandra Hamilton

Morant Bay