It appears that Class 4 pupils at Reynold Weekes Primary School will not be joining the thousands of other children sitting today’s Barbados Secondary Schools’ Entrance Examination (BSSEE).
One of them tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday.
A letter addressed to parents from principal Anderson Bishop stated that the students would have to take an alternative test next month.
“Please be informed that a Class 4 student has tested positive for COVID-19. Contact tracing has already started with select class members. Unfortunately, this contact tracing may not be completed by Wednesday, July 28, 2021.
“To this end, the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Wellness, after considering multiple options, is now recommending that all students of Class 4 . . . write the alternative BSSEE scheduled for 11 August 2021,” it said.
A source connected to the Four Roads, St Philip school said there were three Class 4s comprising about 65 students.
She explained that there was some confusion as to how the girl contracted the virus as members of her household, her neighbourhood friends, schoolmates and teachers had negative test results.
The source added staff were informed about the case on Monday evening when correspondence was sent out that the graduation ceremony, which was to be held yesterday, would be postponed.
A concerned parent took to Starcom Network’s radio call-in programme Down To Brass Tacks yesterday to vent her frustration about the way parents were informed.
“My fear is that these children would be overlooked when vying for the schools outside of their zones,” she said.
Efforts to reach president of the Barbados Union of Teachers, Pedro Shepherd, and Acting Chief Education Officer Joy Adamson for comment were unsuccessful up to press time. (SB)
