MINISTER OF EDUCATION Ronald Jones is assuring parents of the 3 525 students writing Tuesday’s Common Entrance Exam that “all systems are in place” for it to proceed if industrial action is taken by the members of the Barbados Union of Teachers.
Wishing the 1 784 boys and 1 741 girls “the best” via the media attending a press conference this afternoon at the Ministry of Education’s offices on Constitution Road, the City, he said: “I wish to assure parents they have no need to worry about the conduct of the exam or the integrity of the exam. I hope that the threatened withdrawal of labour is not done and I look forward that all parties will be on board to ensure that come off well”.
Declining to say exactly what contingencies were implemented when asked, he reiterated that “all plans are in place for the conduct of that exam. I am saying to all parents, have no worry”.
Jones also “thanked all those persons who called” offering assistance.
He added: “It is amazing. So many Barbadians, past teachers, persons involved in non-governmental organisations, in all walks of life have said ‘we cannot do this to our children. We stand ready to be mobilised at the instant’. We want to thank them for that but we know our teachers would rise to true professionalism by working and ensuring that our young charges are able to operate in the examination without undue stress.” (GBM)
