Barbados Parents Accept Ministry's Decision on May 7 Common Entrance Exam Date

After months of pleas and debate about the timing of the Common Entrance Examination, parents appeared to have accepted the Ministry of Education’s decision to proceed with the May 7 exam date, expressing confidence in their children’s preparedness for the primary school exit test.

The Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) had previously called for the postponement of the exams because of multiple disruptions owing to environmental issues at some schools and persistent learning challenges spurred by the onset of COVID-19. But the ministry stuck to Tuesday’s sitting of the exam, formally titled the Barbados Secondary Schools Entrance Examination (BSSEE).

Voicing their support of the ministry’s decision, parents interviewed by Barbados TODAY noted that postponing the date could have disrupted the students’ focus and preparation.

“Putting it off would not have been a good idea,” said Melissa Harding, mother of Azaliyah, a St Catherine Primary School student.

“The children would have already been prepared for May 7 and had their minds set, so changing the date would have offset them, causing them to mentally and otherwise try to get ready for another time.”

The proud mother was convinced by her daughter’s readiness, praising her teacher, Ms Pearce, for going above and beyond the call of duty.

“Azaliyah had a super teacher who gave her all. They had classes and extra lessons, she did everything to prepare them for today and she gave them that confidence that they can do all things through Christ that strengthens them,” Harding said, adding her belief that her daughter will pass for her top school of choice, Springer Memorial, the island’s lone girls public high school.

Harding was among several parents gathered outside Princess Margaret Secondary in Six Roads, St Philip where some 198 students sat the exam.

André Harrison commended the support from his son Aaren’s school, Bayley’s Primary: “Everybody has been playing a significant role in the development and process of this step so far, so we are confident and comfortable with everything that will happen this morning.

“It all comes down to being prepared and [Aaren] is prepared. He’s been really focused and he’s excited.”

Bearing testament to the comfort with the exam date, the students voiced confidence in their ability to pass for their preferred schools.

“I’m feeling very good about the exams,” Hilda Skeene Primary head girl Nyere Mayers told Barbados TODAY. “I prepared by going to lessons, doing work in the evenings and studying. My teacher helped me by hearing what I had to say about things I didn’t understand and going through them with me.”