THE Ministry of Education (MoE), on Tuesday, informed that the results of the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), which was written on July 1 – 2, will be released on or before September 25.

Covering examinations in Mathematics, English, Social Studies and Science, some 14,730 pupils were scheduled to write the nationwide assessment, and the students and their parents are eagerly awaiting the results as it will determine placement of the pupils to secondary schools.

Customarily written annually in April, with the results released in July, this year the NGSA faced special circumstances and had to be re-scheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the closure of schools since March.

Following the recording of the country’s first case of the COVID-19 virus on March 11, schools were closed indefinitely and the NGSA as well as the annual Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) examinations were all postponed. However, after the CXC took the decision to move forward with their examination, the MoE took the decision to also move forward with the NGSA.

Prior to the examinations, schools were partially reopened to NGSA students on June 8 to cater for the preparation of the students and subsequently the holding of the exams.
An official Examinations Order was gazetted and published, which addressed the public health protocols which were implemented for the examinations.

The measures outlined catered for appropriate sanitation stations, including adequate water and soap, and bins with covers; adequate sanitation supplies such as bleach, soap powder and alcohol-based sanitisers; floor signage, or markings indicating a physical distance of approximately six-feet apart, and a designated sickbay or quarantine area that is well-ventilated and equipped with a bed; first aid kit and personal protective gear to accommodate any student that is suspected to be exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms.