BOSA Endorses Call Made By The Minister Of Education for Parents To Send Their Children To School Within Their Communities – By Vincent Samuels

Rev. Hon. Ronald Thwaites, Minister of Education

Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) has endorsed the call made by Rev. Hon. Ronald Thwaites, Minister of Education that parents are to send their children to school within their community. Delivering his address at the official opening of Red Hills Primary School Saint Andrew recently, not only did the Honourable Minister urge parents to send their children to school within their community, but he also made a plea to Members of School Boards, Principals, and Administrators of Primary Schools to desist from administering entry tests to new students since admission must only be based on space availability.

The plea that the Honourable Minister of Education has made for parents to send their children to school within their community is consistent with the following criticism that Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) has been making of the School Board, Principal, and Administration at Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased) New Market, Saint Elizabeth for several years:

1. The alleged practice whereby children from Brighton District, Saint Elizabeth have been admitted to Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased) although there is a Primary School in Brighton Community.

2.  The alleged practice whereby parents in Beersheba Primary School Community have in the past – and it is alleged that they continue to do so – removed their children from Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased) and have gotten them admitted to as far away as New Roads All Age School in Westmoreland. It is alleged that the reason that parents have given why they have in the past and continue to remove their children from Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased), is that they are dissatisfied with the administration at the school.

Allegations made by parents who have in the past – and continue to do so – removed their children from Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased), is indeed cause for concern since this could be the tip of the iceberg when taking into consideration low passing grades that are reflected in 2012 – 2013 Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) that is administered by the Ministry of Education.

Although there are two scholarships – James Richards Educational Scholarship and Elesa Hamilton Scholarship that these two Beersheba Primary School Alumni have made available to successful GSAT students whom it is alleged that donors of the scholarships stipulate that they must obtain a passing grade of no less than 85% – the alleged passing grade for students who have sat and were successful in the exam is between 66 to 71%.

Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) which does not support or condone mediocrity in any form when it comes to student performance, call upon the Ministry of Education to probe all the allegations mentioned herein in the interest and welfare of students.