18,000 students at SEA today

Over the past few days, several schools held Church services for students and words of advice were given to the students by both parents and teachers. The SEA, which began in 2001, replaced the Common Entrance examination.

Teachers from Sacred Heart Girls’ RC School, Newtown Boys ’RC, Newtown Girls’ RC and St Margaret’s Boys’ AC, all said students were relaxed but anxious to write their exams. A teacher from St Margaret’s said a Church service held for the students this week indeed lifted their spirits and confidence.

At Newtown Girls’ RC, students were said to be “rearing to go” as proper preparations were done for the exams.

Students’ entry into secondary school will be determined based on their performance in Mathematics, Language Arts and Creative Writing. Education Ministry communications specialist Sharon Balroop said students start the exam at 8 am and will be given two 15-minute breaks, in between them. Balroop could not confirm which subject would be written first but said the exams will finish by 1 pm.

In a release from the Ministry, Education Minister Hazel Manning said the number of students writing the SEA exams each year ranged between 20,699 and 21,448. This year, 18,751 students will write the assessment tests in 531 centres.

Manning said in the release: “this is indeed an exciting time in the lives of our young people, as boys and girls will be entering a new chapter in their life in writing the SEA exams.”

Manning encouraged students to believe in their spirituality, whatever their religion.

“Believe in your ability to do the right things during the examination, as taught by your dedicated teachers and parents who tirelessly strive to ensure your preparation for this and many of life’s experiences,” she advised.

The Education Ministry further advised parents: “after the examination, encourage the child to discuss his/her feelings rather than his performance, be supportive and reassuring, remember that school continues with exciting programmes for post SEA students and take time to pray with your child to connect and reconnect with God.”

Tomorrow is the last day of school for the second term, as primary and secondary schools close for the next two weeks for Easter vacation. School will reopen for term three on April 24.