ALTHOUGH the Ministry of Education has pronounced this year’s Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) results as “a generally encouraging trend with regard to student performance,” experts are saying they show a long-term problem that is not being adequately addressed.
In a release on June 28, the ministry gave an analysis of the results saying the country was experiencing a “steady and stable recovery” from the affects of the pandemic. This after students returned to the physical classroom in April 2022 after two years of online learning because of covid19 restrictions.
It said, out of 100, the average mathematics score in 2024 was 50.7, compared with 50.4 in 2023 and 41.9 in 2022. The average English language arts writing score was 59 in 2024 while it was 53.4 in 2023 and 44.3 in 2022. And the average 2024 English language arts score was 53.4 compared with 61.6 in 2023 and 44.4 in 2022.
Of the 18,177 students who wrote the exam this year, of which 9,127 were male and 9,050 were female, 14.39 per cent scored 30 and below. This compared to 13.55 per cent in 2023 and 27.81 per cent in 2022.
The percentage of those who scored 50 per cent and above was 57.91, 58.06 per cent and 37.06 per cent in 2024, 2023 and 2022 respectively. And the percentage scoring 90 per cent and above was 1.42 per cent, 2.11 per cent and 0.47 per cent in 2024, 2023 and 2022 respectively.
It added that the ministry was hosting a Remedial Education Programme in 80 primary schools of focus, which included the assignment of dedicated school social workers, guidance officers, special education officers and learning support assistants, and included initiatives like the After School Support Education Programme.
“In 50 per cent of the 80 primary schools of focus, there has been an increase in the average weighted score of the students. Also, in 45 per cent of those schools, there was a decline in the percentage of students scoring 30 per cent and lower in SEA. This adds credence to the efforts of the Remedial Education Programme of the MoE, which has been approved to continue in both primary and secondary schools of focus until 2025/26.”
In addition to congratulating all the students who wrote the SEA exam, it reminded that the Secondary Vacation Revision Programme for students entering Form 1 in September, would take place at 21 centres across Trinidad starting on July 15.
Tabaquite MP and United National Congress shadow education minister Anita Haynes Alleyne said the data did not indicate any real statistical improvement in performance and data-based targeted interventions were essential to the path forward.
[caption id="attachment_1093240" align="alignnone" width="627"] Table showing SEA percentages -[/caption]
She said while the ministry was saying the results were “not the worst,” it was also “not good” that 42.09 per cent of the students got under 50 per cent and, therefore, were not at a level of competency to handle a secondary school curriculum. Far less for the 14.39 per cent that got 30 per cent and below.
“It is not e
