#commonentrance

One of the most interesting socio-cultural moments in Barbados each year  is the day  Common Entrance results are released. Euphoric celebrations for few, relief for the majority and sadness for too many.

Listen let's not dissect the pecking order although it's not helpful I feel like we have spent so much time doing that over the years and although it is a commentary on the potential dismantling of a system it has not led us anywhere. (Color me pessimistic)

What I'm most interested in is finding a solution for the 138 students  who scored less than 10% in math. Why are they even taking the test.  My only answer to that is that we are too wedded too idea of this exam and not to the development of our children. Someone who is scoring so poorly on these tests needs remedial help, remedial help I think the schools need to commit themselves to providing. I fundamentally believe that parents who have the resources and access to improve their children's performances do ( a reality that allows us some of the top achievers we celebrate)

All children should benefit from robust interactions between parents and teachers but especially children who are experiencing challenges of meeting the established markers. These interactions would give everyone an appreciation of what needs to be done so that the child reaches its full potential. Additionally, to the extent that  structural changes are required so that kids are not rushed through a system, made to fail, left to be branded and have their possibilities limited lets engage in them.