STATEMENT ON GSAT PLACEMENTS - PORTMORE

June 7, 2007

 

  The Ministry of Education & Youth is advising that students who were placed at the school that was proposed to be situated   in the Dunbleholden area of St. Catherine are being re-assigned to three schools in Portmore. The decision on the final   placement of the 250 students is being made today at meetings between the Chief Education Officer, Mr. Jasper Lawrence,   other officials of the Ministry and the Principals and Boards of the schools which are earmarked to receive these students.   The meeting which is underway forms part of efforts to ensure full involvement of key stakeholders in the placement of these   students.

  All students island wide were placed according to the national placement system. Residents of Portmore can be assured that   the placement of students from this area is in keeping with the established system. This year approximately 65% were placed   at high schools on the basis of choice, a further 32% were placed on the basis of proximity, and 3% were manually placed.

  Following today's meetings, the Ministry of Education will initiate programmes to expand the facilities at the three Portmore   schools that will receive the additional students. These expansions will be completed before the start of the September 2007   school year.

  Plans to construct the school in the Dunbleholden area have been put on hold based on advise from the National   Environment and Planning Agency. However, the Ministry of Education and Youth is aggresively pursuing discussions on   alternative sites to construct more schools, in response to the population increase in the St Catherine area.

  Please note that all schools will be in posession of the GSAT results by tomorrow morning.

  Contact: Charlene Ashley
  Director of Communication
  Ministry of Education and Youth
  Telephone: 502-5828
  Fax: 922-6328
  Email: charlene.ashley@moey.gov.jm