CEBM agrees with SEA deferral

The Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) exam has been postponed to July 1.

Originally scheduled for June 10, Education Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly at the post-cabinet media briefing on May 20 announced the change of date because of the “trajectory of the Covid-19 pandemic and the ensuing challenges posed by the health regulations at this time”.

Via a media release, the ministry stated that during initial stakeholder consultations April 22, the seven-day average for Covid-19 in Trinidad and Tobago was 89, with new cases at 81.

“Due to concerns about the safety of face-to-face interactions with those numbers of positive cases, and taking into consideration the students who had been working diligently towards having SEA on that date, the decision was taken to leave the examination on June 10.”

This was done with a clear understanding that physical preparations were unlikely and the challenging 14 months students have had, plus the desire to cause the least disruption possible.

The release stated when the decision was announced April 28, the numbers had increased from 81 to 223 with a seven-day average of 136. A more rapid increase of infection rate has since taken place with new infections reported at over 600 and the current seven-day average as high as 478.

At the April consultations with the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers’ Association, principal and parent associations and denominational boards, it was agreed that “a reasonable alternative to the June 10 date for SEA was July 1”.

During this period, it was anticipated with the current public health regulations in effect, “should allow the elapse of enough time for the rate of infections and active cases to be reduced to a level deemed reasonably safe for the conduct of the examination”. The release noted the vaccination programme underway. Teachers in closest physical contact with students were being targeted as a “priority group”.

Chief Executive Officer of the Catholic Education Board of Management (CEBM) Sharon Mangroo said: “under the circumstances we appreciate the need for the deferral of the examination. We fully agree that the lives of our students and teachers as well as the people with whom they live and associate are paramount in any decision-making on the SEA examination.”

The CEBM is maintaining regular contact with its principals to provide support. “This includes monitoring the safety equipment in the schools and the procedures being adopted”, Mangroo said.

Continued collaboration with the Ministry will take place to facilitate safety and effective conduct of the SEA exam. –LPG