Forgo SBAs for Jamaican, Vincentian students

THE EDITOR, Madam:

THE BAN on face-to-face classes by the Government of Jamaica due to the COVID-19 pandemic is, indisputably, causing great distress in grade-11 students and their teachers as regards the school-based assessments (SBA). It is unfair to blame the Government for employing this measure as a way of saving lives and preventing the spread of the virus.

It is also public knowledge that the volcanic eruption in St Vincent has resulted in the displacement of people, including students slated to sit the upcoming Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate examinations.

In view of the aforementioned scenarios, it is my recommendation that the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) forgo the SBA as an assessment criterion/tool for Jamaican and Vincentian students for this year. After all, GCE English examination does not have any SBA component.

My recommendations is predicated on t he negative psychosocial effects of COVID19 on our students. Besides, in times of pressure and great stress, individuals can resort to illegal and immoral means of achieving their goals. This can be the situation with respect to the production of SBAs. Alternatively, the CXC could mandate Jamaican and Vincentian students to sit Paper 03, which is the alternative to the SBA.

In closing, it is necessary to state that our students are stressed by the effects of COVID-19 and the concomitant restrictive measures. Therefore, no institution should add an ounce of stress to their lives!

UGOCHUKWU WILSON DURUEKE, JP Educator