HIST 3030 The Evolution of Social Policy in Barbados: Levisha Josiah on the Origins of the Common Entrance Exam in Barbados
The origin and evolution of the Common Entrance Examination in Barbados and its effectiveness in achieving quality education 1959-1982 By, Levisha Josiah HIST 3030 The Evolution of Social Policy in Barbados The Barbados Secondary Schools Entrance Examination, commonly called the Common Entrance Examination, was implemented in 1959 as a method for transferring students from primary to secondary school. It emerged from a recommendation by G.S.V. Petter (1956). After conducting a survey in both grammar and modern secondary schools, Petter realized that something had to be done about the way in which students went on to secondary schools. He concluded that children were being examined too early in their lives (some as early as 9 years old). During this time period, because of a high demand for secondary education children would write several examinations by different secondary schools with hopes of gaining entry to at least one grammar school. Petter (1956) noted tha...