Ruel Reid of the ministry of education agreed that the programme was in limbo. - File

The Association of Principals and Vice-Principals has expressed concern that the work experience programme, which has assisted several secondary school students to prepare for the world of work, is in limbo.

The work experience programme was a part of the Secondary School Certificate programme. However, this programme was replaced last year with the Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence.

Tentative scheduling

Michael Stewart, president of the association, said the work experience programme usually starts in September, but he was yet to receive any positive word from the Ministry of Education as to what will happen with the programme.

Stewart said he was advised to timetable teachers, who were a part of the programme, for regular classes.

"So, we have done that, but it is tentative and teachers are in a little limbo," he said.

He added that teachers usually get concession for travelling but now they are uncertain as to the true situation.

Ruel Reid, special adviser to Minister of Education Andrew Holness, agreed that the programme was in limbo.

Contemplating retention

However, he noted that the ministry would not want to see a discontinuation of the work experience programme, as it could enrich the schools' curriculum.

"We would advocate for a retention and this is the direction we are contemplating," Reid told The Gleaner.

"We would not want to see us losing that because it bridges the gap between the classroom and the real world," he said.

He noted that the ministry was in the process of making a decision about the programme and schools would be informed as soon as that decision was made.