GSAT: More Students Placed in School of Choice
By: , June 17, 2016The Key Point:
Photo: Donald Delahaye
Students of Holy Childhood Preparatory jump for joy after sitting their final paper in the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT).The Facts
- “It is due to the fact that for the first time this year, we had two additional school choices to the standard five that you were accustomed to,” he said.
- A total of 1, 778 students were absent from the examination, while 4,060 students were granted deferrals.
The Full Story
More school choices enabled 81 per cent of students, who sat the 2016 Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) to be placed in an institution of their preference.
Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, said the number represents an increase of eight per cent when compared to 2015.
“It is due to the fact that for the first time this year, we had two additional school choices to the standard five that you were accustomed to,” he said.
The Minister was presenting the GSAT results during a press conference at his National Heroes Circle offices in downtown Kingston on Tuesday (June 14).
A total of 34,426 students were placed in high schools; 3, 270 in technical schools; 1, 051 in primary and junior high schools; and nine in special schools.
Sixteen per cent of students were placed in terms of proximity to the primary schools they attend; and three per cent were placed manually based on the address they submitted at registration.
Meanwhile, Minister Reid informed that 1, 748 students who were absent from the exam will be eligible to sit GSAT next year.
He noted that students’ eligibility is based on their date of birth.
A total of 1, 778 students were absent from the examination, while 4,060 students were granted deferrals.
A total of 38,579 students, including 60 private candidates, sat the GSAT on March 17 and 18. Over 40,000 students were registered.