Thousands of secondary school students across the island will soon be asked to take a diagnostic test to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their mental health.Prime Minister Mia Mottley disclosed on Monday that the “diagnostic instrument” would be introduced for students in third to fifth form so that tailored measures can be implemented, where necessary, to help them cope better.Suggesting that the 2023/2024 Budget will make provision for this, Mottley highlighted the urgency of doing such, saying that further delay could result in major consequences in the future.“I have asked the Ministry of Education to ensure that we can introduce a diagnostic instrument in every secondary school for every third, fourth and fifth former to see where they are. We are conscious that the greatest tragedy other than those who were directly affected physically or in their households by COVID and the loss of persons with COVID have been our children,” she said.
