“Common Entrance” / Grade Six skulduggery uncovered in Region One

Last Updated on Saturday, 31 May 2014, 0:57 by GxMedia

Less than one month before results are due to be announced, the Ministry of Education on Friday said there were “irregularities in the conduct” of the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) examination at a school in Region One- Barima/Waini.

The ministry said “no other irregularities were found in any of the other schools in Guyana.”

Authorities said the discovery of the irregularities would not affect the release of the results of the National Grade Six Assessment on June 27. “The Ministry wishes to assure all stakeholders and members of the public that this irregularity will not be allowed to affect either the integrity or the timely release of the NGSA results.

A probe has been launched but the ministry did not say outright whether the affected students would have to rewrite the subjects. “The Ministry is actively considering various options and will make interventions where its paramount consideration will be what is in the best interest of the affected students,” he said.

The Region One Education Officer refused to discuss the matter when contacted by telephone.

The Ministry promised to update the public at the end of the probe. The Education Ministry credited its quality assurance mechanisms with identifying the problem in the affected area and school.