Common Entrance Exam off to a smooth start

Education authorities are reporting a smooth start as the Barbados Secondary Schools’ Entrance Examination, commonly known as the Common Entrance Examination got underway Tuesday.

Sharp looking students and parents made their way to 21 examination centres across the island early this morning.

At the Combermere School, Chief Education Officer Dr Ramona Archer-Bradshaw, Deputy Chief Education Officer Joy Adamson and Director of Education Dr Idamay Denny were on hand to welcome the children.

“We are quite satisfied with what we have seen so far, the children seem quite excited, they are ready,”  Dr Archer-Bradshaw told reporters.

She praised teachers, principals and staff at the Ministry of Education for making thorough preparations for the students.

“I want to commend the teachers because they have put in a lot of work over the past two years, especially with the difficulties we face with the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that the children are ready for today and to ensure that the children are ready to transition to secondary school and I commend them for that. I am also commending the principals for providing the environment that is conducive to the learning of these children.

“So far I am happy, we will have to see how the rest of the day goes,” she said.

A total of 3, 3000 students are writing today’s exam. This includes 1,545 males and 1,755 females.

The Education ministry said 18 students have requested permission to sit the BSSEE at an early age (10 years old).

It has granted exemptions from writing the examination to 15 students, while 169 others have deferred.