There is palpable anxiety among learners preparing to transition to Grade 10 after the Ministry of Education delayed the selection of senior schools. Education stakeholders are warning that the shortened deadline might adversely affect the students’ choices.
Some 1.2 million Grade 9 learners are getting ready to join senior school where they will select their career pathways through the ministry’s automated placement system.
The three pathways are Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Social Sciences, and Arts and Sports Sciences. Ideally, the selection should be done early in the year to allow learners time for career guidance, and consultations with their parents. It has been scheduled to run from August 24 to September 11. The delay may heighten worries and confusion among learners as the schools hurriedly prepare for the transition. It is feared that the uncertainty may undermine the parents’ confidence in the Competency-Based Education (CBE). Should some students make the wrong choices, there may not be enough time for revision.
The mounting problem stems from the delayed placement schedules, automated system errors, and fears over the career pathways. Some of the parents and learners are worrying about distant day-school placements, limited school capacities, and tight reporting timelines.
Late announcements also compress the time available for meaningful career guidance, and family preparation before reporting. Many families are worried about students being admitted to day schools or institutions far from their home counties. This, of course, raised major transport and safety concerns. Some of the high-performing learners are also fearing the possibility of being locked out of their preferred STEM combinations. Technical hitches and portal errors have also fuelled widespread confusion.
The lingering queries on the Grade 10 school selection delays are a matter of serious national concern. The confusion should be resolved urgently to spare the students and parents the needless agony. It is important that the selection be eased to streamline the transition to senior school and enable the students to choose their appropriate career pathways.
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