Damion Mitchell, Staff Reporter OCHO RIOS, St. Ann: THE MINISTRY of Education will be addressing the issue of the overwhelming number of students currently exiting the formal education system at the end of grade nine because their performance in the Grade Nine Achievement Test (GNAT) does not qualify them for a high school space.
Addressing the Jamaica Teachers' Association's (JTA) conference in St. Ann on Wednesday, Education Minister Maxine Henry-Wilson said by 2006/2007 all students will receive five years of secondary education.
"We cannot dismiss their fate as not being our responsibility," she said, "It cannot be beyond us to find a way." She said, however, that more school spaces were needed, noting that come September two new high schools Holland High and Irwin High will be opened in western Jamaica.
In the meantime Mrs. Henry Wilson said a directive has been given to the youth division of the Ministry of Education and to Dr. Donald Rhodd, the State Minister with responsibility for youth matters, to examine other ways to address the situation. Also she said that HEART Trust/NTA has been approached to accommodate remedial activities for the grade nine students currently out of the education system, adding that in another week, an announcement would be made as it relates to the discussions with HEART.
Last week, The Gleaner reported that of the 9,361 students who sat the 2004 GNAT, only 6,086 were placed in high schools, prompting interests in the educational sector to express concern that too many students, primarily boys, were ending their education at the grade nine level.
