Interviews and photos by Kenesha Fraser
The Education Ministry began implementing the Secondary Competency Certificate Programme (SCCP) in 16 more schools from September. One of the features of the SSCP is Continuous Assessment. This week we asked secondary school students along the Essequibo Coast where the SSCP has started, whether they thought the Continuous Assessment is beneficial. Their views follow:
Sarah Jacobus, Charity Secondary – ‘The continuous assessment in my view is beneficial to all students but it also has the negative effects. With the assessment, students will not be able to see their true potential. There will be not be tests and the students will not know what they can really do. I believe that the end of term exams always challenge the children to work harder.’
Kelisa Fraser, Anna Regina Secondary – ‘Even though some teachers may think that the continuous assessment is making the student lazy, I believe that it will help the students a lot.
Those who don’t do well in the final exams can have a better chance of passing as a result of the continuous assessment. It will also give students a chance to complete extra work that they were not able to complete during the school term.’
Alicia Hardy, Anna Regina Secondary – ‘I am happy that the Ministry of Education introduced the continuous assessment to secondary schools. It is a good idea since in the period for test which was last week, students were able to complete the syllabus for the term. If it wasn’t for the continuous assessment we would have had to write our exams without completing the term’s work because of many interruptions such as sports etc. That would have been difficult for students.’
Brittney Austin, Charity Secondary – ‘I disagree with the continuous assessment because the same class test is what will give you ideas for the end-of-term test. With the end-of-term test students will know that they have to study and I know everyone wants to do well. However, with the continuous assessment I believe that students will not be so focused. They will take the course grade assignments and in-class tests lightly.’
Sherry Ann Gonsalves, Anna Regina Secondary – ‘I think that it is better because you could get to study more often. The continuous assessment allows students to be able to study on three specific topics before a course grade test is given. This is so much better because students will know what are the requirements of the test. It will also allow those who are slow learners to have a chance to better themselves.’
Shenella Garraway, Anna Regina Secondary – ‘For me the continuous assessment is good because it’s keeping the minds of the students active. The in-class tests and course grade assignments will help in motivating students to study more often. When we used to do the end-of-term test, that was the time everyone would try to study and cram everything and in the end it never really paid off for some students. With the continuous assessment, the minds of the students will be fixed on their studies.’
Ackeem Garraway, 8th of May Secondary – ‘I am in agreement with the continuous assessment programme that was lately introduced by the Education Ministry. I think that it is better than having to write end-of-term test at the end of the term. Students who are slow will now have a better chance of passing and I think that the teachers will be able to spend more time with the students and help them in their poor areas.’
Kellicia Jonas, Anna Regina Secondary – ‘There is a positive and negative side to the newly introduced continuous assessment. The negative side of it is that the assessment did not allow us to see exactly what our ability is. There will be no end of term test so we wouldn’t be able to push ourselves to the limit.’
Menesha Leo, Anna Regina Secondary – ‘The continuous assessment is a good venture that was implemented by the Education Ministry. It helps students to focus more on their studies and pushes them to work harder. I personally think that assessment should be ongoing since most students are in agreement with it and they know what their ability is so they will work hard to achieve their goals.’
