Over 2,500 Guyanese students across the ten administrative regions in the country are expected to write various CXC examinations on the same date that has been set aside by President Donald Ramotar for Guyanese to go to the polls.
President Ramotar on Tuesday evening announced May 11, 2015 as the date for national elections. But on that same day, students will be writing the CXC Agriculture Science, Theatre Arts, Electrical and Electronic Technology and Food and Nutrition examinations. A number of students are also slated to write the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations on the same day.
The clash has created widespread concern among students, their parents and their teachers and the Examinations Department of the Ministry of Education is now looking to address the situation.
Superintendent of Examinations in Guyana, Sauda Kadir told News Source that the Caribbean Examinations Council(CXC) will not change the dates of any of the examinations.
“We are looking at possible systems that could be put in place but CXC dates will not change”, Kadir told News Source.
She said her department has informed the Education Minister about the concerns and the logistical problems that could exist with the national elections and the CXC exams taking place on the same date.
Some classrooms at schools across the country are usually used as polling stations. The Guyana Elections Commission has not settled on any polling station as yet.
Ms. Kadir said while the clash creates a challenge she does not see it as a “major issue” as yet and noted that she has not seen an obstacle that she will not been able to overcome.
She explained that officials from Exams Division spent much of Wednesday consulting with the Minister of Education on the issue and they are expected to begin mapping out possible alternatives.
Opposition and APNU Leader David Granger on Wednesday said he has heard of the complaints and concerns about the clash. He said it appeared as though not much thought was given to a possible clash by the President before he announced the date. Granger said the President might have to look at an alternative date before it is too late.
Although, President Ramotar has announced the elections date, he has not dissolved the Parliament which remains prorogued. The Guyana Constitution states that the Parliament must be dissolved to pave the way for national elections.
Filed: 21st January, 2015
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