Students to sit 2018 exams online

This was announced yesterday by the Ministry of Education’s curriculum officer in information and communication technology (ICT) Gerald Phillip, who said more than 130 government and private schools will have the digital capability to allow students to do paper one (multiple choice) via the internet. “There is a team at the ministry that is dedicated toward assisting schools to be ready in terms of internet bandwidth, connectivity and hardware in terms of computers to do CXC, CSE C and CAPE examinations online. We will be ready for 2018,” Phillip said.

He added the 2018 multiple choice exams will be done in real time.

This will allow the ministry to get all schools ready for online testing, adding the long term plan is to introduce paper two examinations, which are written answers, online as well.

Phillip made the disclosures at the launch of pennacool.com/Flow ICT in Education programme for Arima Boys’ RC at El Patio, Santa Rosa RC Church in Arima. Asked to give details on the secondary schools initiative, Phillip said Education Minister Anthony Garcia is expected to make a full statement.

The online exam plan does not have the support of the TT Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) which after discussing the proposal, has several concerns on how it will be implemented, general secretary Fitzroy Daniel said yesterday.

“One of our major concerns is that facilities in schools are not up to the required standard. All our facilities are not up to the same standards. Some schools in Toco will not have the same facilities as those in the prestige schools,” Daniel said. He also claimed the ministry proposed the multiple choice exam can be done on any device such as laptop, smart phone or tablet, but TTUTA has advised there is a need for a policy on such use.

“Another concern is the inconsistency of the electricity system in the country. If students are doing the exam on a given day and electricity goes what will happen to them?” Daniel said the union continues to discuss the matter with the ministry but cautioned, “if we have to take further action we will.” Director of pennacool.com Phaessuh Kromah, speaking on the primary school programme said it will help teachers to assess students’ performance in mathematics.

He thanked the ministry for approving the implementation of the programme at Arima Boys’ RC in collaboration with digital provider Flow.

Kromah said every month, pennacool.com rewards 250 students including those at secondary school, who submit their work on the website. “Principals, teachers and students, tell us over and over of the tremendous motivating and transforming effect this has,” he said