THE Ministry of Education has three months to finalise the logistics of its plan to ensure that students sitting the 2015 Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) and Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) on May 11 are not affected by the General and Regional Elections, scheduled for the same day.

“We are not gripped with a decision that needs to be made now. We have some time to entertain careful examination of our options,” Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon said.
Speaking at his weekly post Cabinet press conference, held at the Office of the President yesterday, he rubbished criticisms that there was no consideration of the fact that the regional examinations were being written on the same day.
According to him, consultations were held with the Ministry of Education, the Guyana Elections Commission, as well as the representation from the current administration.
Dr. Luncheon acknowledged that the primary concern held by the general public is the fact that educational institutions are used as polling places, a fact that is viewed as one that could hamper students and others involved in the regional examination process.
However, he assured that all efforts are being made to have systems put in place to deal with the situation.
These were also the sentiments of President Donald Ramotar, who also gave assurances that the students writing those exams will not be affected, as all efforts will be made to ensure adequate systems are in place to ensure that the students are not affected.
“In regard to the concern that the students who are scheduled to sit CXC exams on May 11 will be affected, please note that the Ministry of Education will put adequate systems in place to ensure students are able to sit their exams without disruption by the day’s election activities,” he said on his Facebook page.
Additionally, the Ministry of Education has assured citizens that it is cognisant of the concerns of parents and students sitting the CAPE and CSEC examinations.
“The Ministry wishes to assure all its stakeholders and all citizens that every consideration is being given to the smooth and effective sitting of the 2015 CSEC and CAPE examinations and as such, is in consultations with the Caribbean Examinations Council and other stakeholders to discuss and derive a suitable plan, one that is in the best interest of the candidates,” it said, in a statement yesterday.
Details of the finalised plans that are being put in place are expected to be released soon.

(Vanessa Narine)