The Editor, Sir:

I empathise with the parents of GSAT scholars and remember the anxiety and stress I went though a few years ago when my son prepared for the exams.

After the exams, both children and parents will breathe a sigh of relief that they are over. Then comes the agony of waiting and the joy/distress when the results are out as to whether or not their child gets to attend the school not so much of his /her choice, but more so of the parents/relatives and teacher. After all, isn't it the parent (usually the mother) in consultation with the teacher who chooses the top five schools (in order of priority) that they would want the child to attend?

During preparation for GSAT parents make tremendous sacrifices of money and time. Teachers spend countless hours ensuring that their students master various concepts/procedures and students spend hours - Monday to Sunday studying/practising. Why? Because of the significance of getting a place in not just any school, but a traditional high school, particularly any of those ranked as 'top-a-top schools'.

For some parents, having their child attend a 'good school' is :

1) Validation of their worth as parents - good parents who make the sacrifices to get the best for their children;

2) Bragging rights "my child is 'bright' and is attending this school";

3)A matter of status - it would be unthinkable and embarrassing for their children, who in many instances attended preparatory school to attend certain schools and 'mix up' with certain children. Thankfully, these parents are in the minority.

However, for the majority of parents, it is the bad reputation and seemingly underperformance of some schools as measured by CSEC successes that make the school their child attend so important. Many parents don't want their children subjected to apathetic teachers or indisciplined and violent students.

More accolades

In the case of the teachers and, by extension, the school, having students who attained passes to traditional high schools is a plus and there are more accolades if graduates are placed at 'top schools'. The teacher is praised and viewed as 'good' which means increased income accruing from an influx of students for extra classes.

For some students, being able to attend a particular school is the continuation of a family tradition, the opportunity to excel in a particular sporting activity for example. For many though, the school they attend is centred on not wanting to attend a 'dunce school', hence being a disappointment to their parents/relatives/teacher and possibly not getting a promised reward for doing well, i.e. being awarded a place at one of the 'name-brand' schools.

There is some merit of course to the argument that these schools do well because they got the 'brighter' students who usually are more responsible and disciplined.

Irrespective of statements from Ministry of Education officials that children should not swot or parents should not pressure their children, GSAT is not just any exam. There is much at stake for all the stakeholders.

I am, etc.,

JULLIA FISHER

jul-fish@hotmail.com

Portmore