NPSC Urges Parents to Continue Support for GSAT Students

The National Parenting Support Commission (NPSC) is appealing to parents to continue to support and encourage their children in light of the postponement of the sitting of Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT).

The NPSC noted that GSAT is a very stressful time for children and parents, which may result in the children becoming very nervous and this usually comes out in their behaviour.

Parents are being advised to look out for signs of stress, such as nausea, problems getting to sleep or not wanting to wake up, being easily upset and irritable, excessive aggressiveness, biting of nails and negative self-talking and self-blaming.

It is important for parents to help their children to remain relaxed while they continue their preparations for the test. They are to avoid the use of negative and discouraging words; instead, they are to help their children by remaining positive and calm, and by creating a stress-free environment.

Parents can support their children by being patient, allowing the children to express their emotions, motivate and encourage them to keep trying, providing a quiet place for them to study, stay up with them as they study, and provide healthy balanced meals.

The night before the test, parents should ensure that the child reads over the GSAT notes, gets eight to nine hours of sleep and have the required stationery, which includes: exam schedule, Number Two pencils, big clean rubber, sharpener, ruler and geometry set.

On the morning of the exam, the child should be given a balanced breakfast and parents ensure that the child gets to the exam centre early.