EXAM WAIT

LACK OF RESOURCES DELAY END-OF-TERM TESTING AT FREDERICK SMITH SECONDARY SCHOOL

By Anesta Henry

Scarce resources at Frederick Smith Secondary School have set back end-of-term examinations.
A reliable source told Barbados TODAY that while exams for the final term in the school year should have started two weeks ago, resources to print the test papers were unavailable.

“The end-of-term examinations were affected by the lack of resources to print papers and these examinations [have been] delayed now by two weeks,” the source said, adding that these kinds of issues “can’t continue if we expect the school or the students to do what they are supposed to do to facilitate the learning process”.

The source said the examination papers are to be printed at another school so exams can start next week.

Teachers raised their concern about the issue with Minister of Education Kay McConney on Friday during an emergency meeting at the Trents, St James-based institution, following the alleged assault of a female student by a man on the school compound the previous day.

McConney told members of the media that the lack of resources at the school was acute, with too many teachers indicating they have been digging into their own pockets to buy school supplies.

She said some of the concerns regarding the lack of resources for the institution had been addressed while meetings are to be held to formulate long-term solutions.

“Things for printing, simple things that are a part of stationery and supplies, and being able to perform the basic services that are required to service the students on their learning journey, some of those things were not available to the school,” McConney acknowledged.

“The Permanent Secretary [Betty Alleyne-Headley] was here, and she had the conversation about what happened with regard to the shortage of funds at that time and she is now going to be working with the team.

“She is supposed to be meeting with the team this afternoon after we have left here to be able to agree on what the processes are, when do we signal what resources are required, how do you do that, and when do we determine is there enough money to carry out the programme; how do you start to reprioritise when there are funds that are limited at this point in time?”

Meanwhile, the source said there was also some concern about the school’s debt which has accumulated over the years.

“This matter is concerning to all involved, especially those teachers who are pulling their pockets to help out with resources,” they said.

anestahenry@barbadostoday.bb