Region Six teachers proposed to Education Minister Shaik Baksh a revision of the syllabus to allow low achievers at the National Grade Six Examination (NGSE) to spend six years in secondary school, when he met them on Friday.

According to a release from the Government Information Agency (GINA), Baksh had sought answers from the teachers as to why the schools were performing poorly at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination. Teachers said that the students who had been placed at those schools were the lowest achievers at the NGSE. “It was pointed out that the ability of the slow learners to assimilate was not as fast as the high achievers and as a result changes in the curriculum were suggested,” the release said.

It stated that the minister was advised that some of the students were not able to perform at that level because of their age and grade, and some were from dysfunctional homes and had social problems which created special challenges for teachers.

Baksh responded that teachers needed more commitment to tackle these challenges.

Teachers also said that the problem started at the primary level where the basics were not being assimilated. The education minister told them that the ministry recognized this and that resulted in the implementation of the National Grade Exams at Levels Two, Four and Six. This was done so that they could identify deficiencies earlier and intervene with remedial action.

Additionally, teachers said that many students sent to those schools were in need of special education for which they were not trained. Baksh in response stated that the ministry has the service of two teachers from the Voluntary Service Overseas who are qualified in the area of special education and will be working with teachers to assist in the short term.

He also stated that the ministry will also be looking at setting up more schools to cater for children with special needs. “These students who are the lowest performers at the CSEC exams are required to complete the same subjects at the same rate as high achievers, and this is causing many low achievers to drop out of the school system,” the release said.