Some PoS boys receive late results

STUDENTS in at least two primary schools in Port-of-Spain on Thursday had to wait longer than others to receive results in the Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) exams, as they were away from school preparing for their graduation ceremonies. The graduation ceremonies for the SEA boys of Richmond Street Boys’ and Sacred Heart Boys’ were planned for Thursday, as the schools anticipated that the SEA results would have been released yesterday, or early next week. But caught by surprise, the staff of both schools simply had a double celebration in the afternoon at their graduation ceremonies at Lion’s Civic Centre and St Mary’s Centenary Hall respectively, where  the results were announced. Other students from schools in the Port-of-Spain area collected their results just before lunch.

Some shed tears as they failed to make it to their first choice, while others screamed and punched the air fists to celebrate their achievement. At Rosary Boys’ RC, the 116 students from five classes who wrote the SEA exams had to endure additional anxious moments as their teachers packaged the results. Gone are the days when results were announced publicly. Instead, students are given packages with their grade slips and school placement, as well as details for registration. The boys said prayers before receiving their results and were advised by Principal Keith Dick to make full use of the opportunities at whichever schools they were placed. He told Newsday 75 percent of the students were placed at well established colleges and secondary schools, with five percent at  five-year secondary schools and the reminder at junior secondary schools.

The results were in keeping with the tradition at Rosary and he was very satisfied. Teacher Arnold Panda was also extremely pleased as 29 of his 34 boys were placed at colleges. His student Jarrel Byer was among the top 100. Byer will attend Fatima College in September. At St Ursula’s Girls’ AC 53 students wrote the SEA. Principal Janette Skerritt said there were no students scoring below 30 percent in any of the subjects and  several of her girls are off to five-and seven-year schools. She said the results were not as good as in previous years, but she was generally satisfied. At Sacred Heart Girls’ RC, a school official said they got an 82 percent placement in five-and seven year schools from the 137 students who wrote the exam. At Nelson Street Girls’ RC, officials had not yet analysed the results for the 71 students who wrote the exam, and at Newtown Boys’ RC of the 112 students, 80 were placed at five-and seven-year schools and 32 at junior secondary schools.