…And exams will proceed on Monday
Primary and secondary students of schools countrywide have been preparing for the upcoming P.S.E. and C.X.C. examinations. Though some parents are concerned about the possibility of illness on Monday, some six thousand five hundred and seventy-six standard six students will be sitting the exams. That is the word tonight from officials of the Ministry of Education. And a News Five also crew went to Holy Redeemer Primary School where Principal, Molly Hulett, says that they are prepared and have been taking precautions.
David Leacock, C.E.O., Ministry of Education
“Today, we had a meeting with the Ministry of Health officials in which we reviewed the administrative arrangements for the PSE, the Primary School Examination, to determine whether or not it would be a significant risk to proceed with the examination and based on that review and as well based on consultations with a couple of the major general managements of primary schools in Belize, as well as, the president of the Belize Association of Principals of Secondary Schools—the schools which serve as centers for the exam, we have determined that the PSE exam can proceed on Monday, May fourth with certain provisions. Even though it is a large number of students that is sitting the exam, there is sufficient segregation—to use the technical term—so that it does not fit the profile of a mass gathering.”
Duane Moody
“Does that apply, as well as, for the C.X.C. examinations?”
David Leacock
“That will apply as well for the CXC examinations. I want to say however, that the same precautions and so on that we’ve been saying all along with respect to regular schooling that children who exhibit or show flu-like symptoms should not be school, should not be sent to the examination, instead , they should be taken to the health clinic for medical attention.”
Molly Hulett, Principal, Holy Redeemer Primary School
“Parents teachers and myself we are really concerned about the amount of students we have here and then we are always interacting with parents and teachers and so forth. We have been following exactly what the ministry says, they told us this week that if there are any cases of children with sneezing or coughing or so forth, they are suppose to be sent home and we have been following that. We had about ten so far this week.”
Duane Moody
“And they were sent home?”
Molly Hulett
“Yes, they were sent home. We have been following exactly what the ministry of health has been saying—we have posters around telling them exactly what are the healthy precautions and we have teachers trying to instill that in them. Some of the classes, teachers have been putting the basins outside so that children may wash their hands before they even enter the room. Just to try and encourage them to wash their hands. You know especially the smaller ones; you know they would eat without even washing their hands.”
Duane Moody
“Are you guys ready for the P.S.E. come Monday?”
Molly Hulett
“Yes we are ready and hoping they do not postpone it.”
Duane Moody
“What did it take? What’s the preparation that you guys been putting into it to take this second part of the P.S.E.?”
Molly Hulett
“Well, we have been continuing with our early morning classes and classes on Saturday.”
Duane Moody
“Are the students ready?”
Molly Hulett
“Yes they are.”
Ministry of Education is also requesting that parents stay in tuned to the media for updates on school schedules.
