“Spend some time and go over test-taking tips and strategies,” advised the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Mr. Vincent Hodge, as he gave remarks to observe the commencement of the annual Test of Standards (TOS) Examinations.
Reflecting on the aim of the TOS assessment, Mr. Hodge a past educator states, the examinations are given, “To make sure the objectives of the teachers are in line with the curriculum.” He added, “To make sure that teachers were maintaining a certain standard at all grade levels. We want to make sure that they were following the same topics and objectives.”
The Permanent Secretary also revealed that the Ministry of Education has had several discussions about curriculum review following concerns from both parents and teachers. “There have been changes to the Social Studies curriculum,” he assured. Referring to the other subject areas he stated, “Some work would have to be done. There needs to be some revision in certain aspects, some content may have to be reduced that is embeded within the curriculum.”
In the past the Ministry of Education had some discussions about eliminating the Test of Standards Assessment and replacing it with one of a regional standing, the CPEA. The Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA) is an assessment required by all pupils exiting the primary school system. The focus of this assessment is on the four main content areas which are common to all primary curricula across the region. These include mathematical, language, civic and scientific.
Mr. Hodge noted that St. Kitts and Nevis has not yet adopted the CPEA mainly because the Ministry is still in the process of gathering information regarding students’ performance at the secondary level after they took the CPEA Examinations.
The Test of Standards is administered annually in June in the subject areas of Mathematics, English, Social Studies, and Science and Technology to all students in grades three to six in the Federation. The first examination was Tuesday 6th, with Language Arts Papers 1 and 2. Mathematics papers 1 and 2 would be administered on Thursday 8th. Social Studies and Science will be administered on the 13th and 14th respectively.