Smooth SEA process in San Fernando

SEA students of Grant Memorial Presbyterian School, San Fernando wash their hands on Thursday morning before going to classroom. - Photo by Angelo Marcelle
SEA students of Grant Memorial Presbyterian School, San Fernando wash their hands on Thursday morning before going to classroom. - Photo by Angelo Marcelle

With covid19 protocols in place for students writing the Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) examinations on Thursday, three schools in San Fernando had smooth processes.

At Grant Memorial Presbyterian School at Carib Street, there was no congregating on or around the school compound. Students did not greet each other, and parents did not offer kisses, hugs, and comforting words as in previous years.

Grant Memorial Presbyterian Primary School SEA student Kaniel Ellis, 12, listens to some last-minute advice from his mother Khadine Yearwood, as they walk outside the school on Thursday morning. - Photo by Angelo Marcelle

Instead, there was a drive-through in which vehicles entered the Susamachar Presbyterian Church next door, dropped off the students on the compound, then drove out. There was no assembly, and staff ushered students to different rooms after sanitising their hands and getting their temperatures checked.

A Grant Memorial Presbyterian Primary School SEA student walks to his classroom to sit the exam on Thursday morning. - Photo by Angelo Marcelle

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The school gates were opened shortly after 7 am.

There was a slight traffic pile-up on the compound for a few minutes as parents slowed down to watch the children walk inside.

One parent said, as far as he is aware, last year, because of the pandemic, parents dropped off the children outside the compound, and only the students were allowed inside.

Grant Memorial Presbyterian Primary School, San Fernando SEA student Neil Persad, 11, is accompanied by his mother Maria Persad. - Photo by Angelo Marcelle

The Education Ministry estimated that about 19,645 students were scheduled to sit the examinations in the country.

Owing to the pandemic, the exam scheduled to take place on June 10 had been postponed to Thursday (July 1).

At San Fernando Boys' RC at Harris Promenade and at the nearby St Gabriel's Girls' RC, all protocols were observed, including santising pre-entry and onsite-monitoring.

An administrator at the San Fernando Boys RC School, Harris Promenade, talks to an SEA student as he arrives at the school to sit the examination. - Photo by Lincoln Holder

Parents dropped off the children at the Our Lady of Perpetual RC Church and school staff at the boys' school guided them into the school next door.

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At the girls’ school, an official said the process was “smooth, smooth, smooth.”

The school’s Parent Teacher Action Team took to Facebook at 6.20 am to offer best wishes to students.

A St Gabriels Girls RC School, San Fernando SEA student gets her temperature checked before entering the school.- Photo by Lincoln Holder

“We wish all SEA students success in their examination this morning and we ask that all our entire St Gabriel's Girls RC School family pray for their protection and guidance as they get ready to sit the SEA,” a post said.

A St Gabriels Girls RC School, San Fernando SEA student gets her temperature checked. - Photo by Lincoln Holder

“We love you and we are very proud of you girls. May God be with you.”

The SEA comprises three papers in the subjects of creative writing, mathematics, and language arts.

The examination is part of the admissions process for secondary schools.

Snr Supt Cecil Santana of the San Fernando Municipal Police told Newsday that officers had been monitoring the processes at the schools since 6 am .

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A St Gabriels Girls RC School, San Fernando SEA student washes her hands before entering the school. - Photo by Lincoln Holder

“Everything is good at the schools. All of the principals I spoke with said they were pleased with the way things ran.

“At the promenade, we allowed parents to park on the roadside and drop off the children,” Santana said.

A student makes her way to the St Gabriels Girls RC School in San Fernando to sit the SEA examination. - Photo by Lincoln Holder

ASP Harripersad and other officers were also seen at the schools.

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"Smooth SEA process in San Fernando"

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