[UPDATED] Ministry confirms SEA on June 10

The Ministry of Education on Wednesday confirmed June 10 as the date for the Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) examination.

In a release, the ministry said the decision was made after consultations with education stakeholders, including the TT Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA), principals, teachers, parents and students.

The ministry said on Monday some stakeholders suggested three weeks of face-to-face classes before the exam may have benefitted students.

Wednesday’s statement said, “While the prevailing view is that students would benefit from a few weeks of face-to-face preparation before the examination, and consideration was given to postponement to possibly facilitate this, the fact is that there is no certainty of that becoming a reality, even if the examination were to be postponed.”

It said the ministry learned from the administration of the exam last year where efforts to provide face time were aborted because of the spread of the covid19 virus.

“In the midst of the pandemic, and in very uncertain times, the Ministry of Education continues to collaborate closely with the Ministry of Health and other public sector agencies to ensure the safety and protection of our students, and to provide a safe and secure environment for the conduct of examinations.”

The statement said results from this year’s SEA will be released in mid-August to facilitate the placement of students into secondary schools in September.

CEO of the Catholic School Board Sharon Mangroo said the ministry’s statement accurately reflects the position of the stakeholders coming out of the meetings.

“Ideally, we would have liked to have had face-to-face classes,” Mangroo said. “The recommendation was for three weeks; if nothing else, one day but it was subject to what the Ministry of Health decides.”

She said teachers wanted the time to get the students reacquainted with the classroom, but the general, overwhelming feeling from stakeholders was not to put it off.

She said the board recommended that students who were not ready at all be allowed to defer to next year. Mangroo said these students would most likely come from those who were receiving printed packages, or those who teachers were unable to reach at all.

She said the board’s recommendation is being considered but there are logistical concerns.