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Proposed changes to the Barbados Secondary Schools’ Entrance Examination will allow students to showcase their abilities through continuous assessment.
Chief Education Officer Dr Ramona Archer-Bradshaw said this is the right move to get away from the one-shot exam in favour of a fairer, more comprehensive system for placing students in secondary schools.
The revamped model, which takes effect from the 2028 academic year, will combine continuous assessment from Classes 3 and 4 in primary schools, with a modified national written exam.
Minister of Educational Transformation, Chad Blackman, announced the changes to the national examination during a ministerial statement last week.
He also stated that the educational terms “classes” and “forms” will be replaced with the universal term “grades” starting in September 2026.
Speaking to the media, the Chief Education Officer agreed this move is in keeping with international standards and is not only used in the American system.
