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Disappointing GSAT results - Holness 
Wednesday, 10 June 2009 
The results of this year's Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) were released Wednesday morning and the Education Ministry is not impressed.
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }Minister Andrew Holness told RJR news tuesdya night that this year's GSAT results were slightly disappointing as the average score dropped slightly below the 50% mark.
He also expressed concern that girls continue to outperform boys.
Forty seven thousand, eight hundred and fifteen children sat this year's exam.
In the meantime, scores of anxious parents and their children rushed to schools in a bid to find out where they have been placed.
However, as some children celebrated their chance to go to the school of their choice, several other shed tears after being placed at institutions they consider less than desirable.
At the Jessie Ripoll Primary in Kingston, it was a celebratory theme as Principal Milton Brown said 85% of his students were placed at their school of first or second choice.
"We also saw and improvement in the scores for Science, Mathematics and Social Studies compared with last year's results. Last year, a few of our children peaked with 100s in some subjects, but this year, there's a wider band of students getting in the 90s. We are happy with the results," said Mr. Brown.
He attributed this to early intervention for students who have difficulty learning, a strong parent body, dedicated teachers and an environment conducive to learning.
"Discipline is maintained at this institution and we ensure that both parents and students adhere to this," he said.
Mr. Brown's sentiments were echoed by Lorna Downie, Principal of the Wolmer's Prep school also in Kingston.
"I would say to all principals and teachers, follow carefully the Education Ministry's curriculum and look at how you deliver, how the child learns, look at the multiple intelligences and ensure that you have strategies to meet the children's need," she said.
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Wednesday, 10 June 2009 The results of this year's Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) were released Wednesday morning and the Education Ministry is not impressed.st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }Minister Andrew Holness told RJR news tuesdya night that this year's GSAT results were slightly disappointing as the average score dropped slightly below the 50% mark.
He also expressed concern that girls continue to outperform boys.
Forty seven thousand, eight hundred and fifteen children sat this year's exam.
In the meantime, scores of anxious parents and their children rushed to schools in a bid to find out where they have been placed.
However, as some children celebrated their chance to go to the school of their choice, several other shed tears after being placed at institutions they consider less than desirable.
At the Jessie Ripoll Primary in Kingston, it was a celebratory theme as Principal Milton Brown said 85% of his students were placed at their school of first or second choice.
"We also saw and improvement in the scores for Science, Mathematics and Social Studies compared with last year's results. Last year, a few of our children peaked with 100s in some subjects, but this year, there's a wider band of students getting in the 90s. We are happy with the results," said Mr. Brown.
He attributed this to early intervention for students who have difficulty learning, a strong parent body, dedicated teachers and an environment conducive to learning.
"Discipline is maintained at this institution and we ensure that both parents and students adhere to this," he said.
Mr. Brown's sentiments were echoed by Lorna Downie, Principal of the Wolmer's Prep school also in Kingston.
"I would say to all principals and teachers, follow carefully the Education Ministry's curriculum and look at how you deliver, how the child learns, look at the multiple intelligences and ensure that you have strategies to meet the children's need," she said.
[ Back ]