EDITORIAL - Common Entrance debate continues

May the 2nd is the day of reckoning for thousands of our nation’s youth – the day of the ‘rite of passage’ in the quest to get into a ‘good’ school.

On April 24 the Government Information Service website disseminated some sound advice to parents to ensure a pressure free 11-Plus exam, also known as the Barbados Secondary Schools Entrance Exam (BSSEE).

On the heels of this advice, the debate on the benefits of this standardised test has once again reared its head. The very philosophy of the Barbados education system is supposed to be based on the premise that every child should have educational opportunities of a kind which would allow him or her to make the most of his or her abilities, and to contribute to the social and economic growth of the city. However, there are varying opinions as to whether the BSSEE has lived up to this mandate.

Some argue that the 11 -Plus reveals the social inequities present in society in the uneven playing field in terms of home environments, primary schools, teachers and access to quality extra lessons. The arguments against this exam are furthered by the opinion that a test done on one day in time could not possibly uncover the full potential of our young minds; and yet this one day of their life, a day in which a myriad of factors could interplay for success or failure, could dictate the next five years and possibly the rest of their life.

The detractors also opine that in focusing on English and Mathematics to the exclusion of other subject areas, the many other talents which our children possess are being overlooked, and as a result, in some cases, suppressed.

Finally, one of the strongest arguments against the BSSEE is predicated on the fact that it puts these young impressionable minds under tremendous pressure and takes a toll on their overall mental well-being.

Those who support the BSSEE opine that life is hard and full of challenges and that parents cannot afford to shield their children from what it is like in the real world. In the real world, as Darwin puts it, only the strong survive and while it may seem a bit harsh, children have to learn to deal with pressure and get past it, as it is a part of life.

In regards to the uncovering of the social inequities, some argue that it is a far cry from the privileged system that was in effect years ago where you only went to one of the “good” schools only if you could afford to pay the fees.
BSSEE in their eyes is seen as a fairer, meritocratic system, where it is a door available to all to be opened in the process of getting out of poverty.

Both arguments have some merit and really point to the fact that while BSSEE has opened many opportunities that would have been permanently closed to those in situations of poverty and has definitely been a step in the right direction, if definitely has room for improvement to be more relevant and reflective of the kind of workforce that is needed in today’s environment.

Let the discussion ensue and debate continue so that we can continually improve on the system and leave a legacy that we all can be proud of.

Barbados Advocate

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