Chief Education Officer, Saddam Hussain, has written to Regional Education Officers informing them that a decision has been taken by the Education Ministry that there will be no administering of end-of-year examinations in public primary and secondary schools at the end of the current school term.

The end-of-year exams are usually used for promotional purposes in primary and secondary schools, however, the Education Ministry has indicated that there should now be continuous assessment used to allow the promotion of students into their next class.

However, it was stated that the National Grade Five Assessment will be administered as usual.

In the case of those students to be streamed into the fourth form, the Ministry said consideration should be given to the stream choice of the students.

The Ministry of Education has cited the weeks of learning loss for its decision. Earlier this year, teachers stayed away from their classrooms for four weeks as part of their strike action. The teachers restarted strike action a week ago and the strike action is continuing as the Ministry of Education and the Guyana Teachers’ Union continue to meet on issues related to collective bargaining and the demands of teachers.

On Monday, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, complained about the learning loss being experienced by students as a result of the strike action. She likened the current situation to what existed during the pandemic. However, during that time, most teachers conducted online classes.

While teachers remain on strike action and have been staying away from their classrooms, many of them have been sending worksheets to the parents for the students.

Some schools have reported that as much as 80% of the teachers on roll have been absenting themselves from the classrooms during the strike.

Related posts:

Education Ministry concerned about learning loss as strike by teachers continue Education Ministry to consult with stakeholders about possible early start to new school year Education Ministry to unveil free extra lessons to combat learning loss; No plan to close schools again Education Ministry Cancels Assessment Exams for Grades 2, 4 and 9