– ACEO
ASSISTANT Chief Education Officer (ACEO) Secondary, Ms. Melcita Bovell said, yesterday, that the discontent voiced by parents about the placement of children based on results from the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) is a problem of perception.
“People have an idea that this school is better than the other. It is a matter of perception and that is why they are not content,” she said, adding that the Ministry of Education is, however, working in a strategic manner to maintain equity.
“We are working hard to fill the schools,” Bovell assured.
She said the fact that the Ministry’s methods are effective is reflected in the success at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.
Bovell pointed out that the grade six students write the NGSA and compete for positions at the top five schools in Guyana – Queen’s College (QC), Bishops’ High School (BHS), St. Stanislaus College, St. Joseph High School and St. Rose’s High School.
She explained that those who do not secure places there are placed in their respective catchment area schools and every effort is being made to address transfers being sought.
Bovell said: “Proper documentation by education officials is what is helping us to respond quickly. We are working in a systematic way.”
However, she cautioned that, while many applications for transfers have been made, not all will be approved.
Letters indicating that transfers have been denied were given to parents at the Triumph Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) offices.
One parent at that location, Mrs. Sheryann Nauth, said the environment in which the assigned school is located is not one she wishes her daughter to attend but the girl’s request was not granted.
Another dissatisfied parent, Ms. Kim Davis, said her daughter was awarded Hope Secondary School and, although it is a good one, she cannot afford to send her there.
“I applied for President’s College because I have a sister near there and it would be more affordable,” Davis said.
Such disappointments were repeated by many parents at Triumph who claimed that the designated schools were too far from where the children reside.
Mrs. Anita Persaud said her son was awarded Ann’s Grove Secondary but she complained that it is too far from their Good Hope home and that village has a secondary school.
Reports

The Guyana Chronicle, meanwhile, made contact with the relevant officers in most Regions and their reports varied.
In Region One (Barima/Waini) the Secondary School Officer, Ms. Leah Robinson disclosed that only 10 parents applied for transfers.
She said the reason cited was the need for the children to be closer to home.
In Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam), the Education Officer, Ms. Nicola Matthews said 80 such applications were received, citing the same circumstance.
The Secondary School Education Officer in Region Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands), Mr. Allan Bhajan said several were sent to the Ministry of Education for consideration and they are still being processed.
Region Four (Demerara/Mahaica) Education Officer, Mr. Bayweda Rambarran said close to 300 similar applications reached his department.
“Parents make their applications and we forward them to the Ministry which sends the response we give to the parents. The majority of the responses were in the negative,” he revealed.
Ms. Ann Fears, of the Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) Education Department, said there were only three applicants.
Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) reported a small number, two, according to the resident officer, Mr. Owen Pollard.
Ms. Sabeina Bowen, from the Region Ten (Upper Demerara/Berbice) Education Department, was unable to state the number of requests.
The Regional Education Officers from Regions Five (Mahaica/Berbice), Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) and Eight (Potaro/Siparuni) were unavailable for comment.