TTUTA disagrees with proposed August SEA date

The TT Unified Teachers' Association (TTUTA) is calling on the Ministry of Education to reconsider a proposed August date for the Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) examination.

In a media release on Friday, TTUTA argued that having the exam in August would place some students at a disadvantage as they may not have been fully engaged during virtual teaching sessions.

The association said additional preparation time was necessary to afford students the best chance at succeeding in the exam which should also include more student-teacher interaction.

"TTUTA holds fast to the view that students should be allowed the time to interact with their teachers upon the reopening of schools on September 1. Students can then sit the SEA during the month of October as originally suggested by the Minister of Education."

TTUTA also contends that having the exams in August would amount to a contradiction of the established terms and conditions of teachers and principals, as teachers would then be required to supervise the exams during the July-August vacation.

"TTUTA is not prepared to agree to any variation of educators' work periods lest any precedent be set now that would give rise to industrial relations conflicts in the future."

Another point raised was a possible clash between the proposed August exam date and scheduled repairs to certain schools which were normally done during the vacation period.

The release also raised the issue of inequalities in the education system, referring to a reduction in the number of students who sit the CSEC examinations compared to the numbers who sat the SEA exam five years earlier.

"As educators, we must pay attention as well to those who do not achieve similar levels of success at the SEA and at the secondary level.

"As a country, there must be a system of comprehensive mitigation measures to address the situations and challenges of such students while they are in school as well as at the end of their school career."

When contacted by Newsday for comment, president of the National Primary Schools Principals Association, Lance Mottley, said he agreed with TTUTA's stance that an August date for the exam would place some students at a disadvantage.

The Ministry of Education is expected to make known, this week, it's decision on the date of the exam.