Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter

Eartha Smith (right) congratulates her daughter, Britney Smith, a student at St Richard's Primary School, St Andrew, yesterday, after she got news that Britney was placed at Immaculate Conception High School, based on her performance in the 2008 Grade Six Achievement Test. - Peta-Gaye Clachar/Staff Photographer

Jasper Lawrence, chief education officer in the Ministry of Education, yesterday said he was disappointed with the national averages of the 2008 Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT), but said measures were being put in place to improve student performance.

GSAT replaced the Common Entrance Examination in 1999. Performance in the test determines the placement of students in secondary schools.

Not satisfied

"We are not comfortable with those averages because we would like for students to do well," Lawrence told The Gleaner last night.

The averages for all the subjects last year were not available yesterday, but the education ministry said there was an improvement in mathematics this year which had a national average in the 40s in 2007.

The Ministry of Education said 48,733 students have been placed in grade-seven programmes this year based on their performance.

Lawrence disclosed that come next year, students will have to be successful in the Grade-Four Literacy Test before they are advanced to sit GSAT. He said this was important because if students were not literate, they would not be able to understand the other subject areas.

He noted, too, that when some students perform well and others are underperform, the national average is affected.

Some tears of joy

Meanwhile, tears of joy and disappointment flowed freely at St Richard's Primary School, St Andrew, yesterday as students received their GSAT results.

Abigail Henry was among those rejoicing.

"I feel great because I am going to one of the best schools in Jamaica," said the student, who will be attending Immaculate Conception High School.

When the Gleaner news team visited the school about 3 p.m. yesterday, the results were not ready as a teacher had to return to the Ministry of Education because the compact disc that she was given had no data.

She eventually returned about 4 p.m with a hard copy of the results.

Romoy Francis was very excited when he was presented with his results. He jumped and pranced around the schoolyard when it was revealed that he would be attending Campion College.

"I am really happy. I am so glad because this is the school I really wanted to go," Francis said.

He said he could not have done so well without the support of his mother and friends.

Britney Smith, who will be attending Immaculate Conception High School, said she was pleased with her results.

"I feel very, very happy because this was my first choice," she told The Gleaner. Smith said she was merely reaping the benefits of her hard work, staying up late at night and the extra classes she attended.

Meanwhile, sisters Jheneal and Ashanna Simms were disappointed with their placements. In fact Jheneal cried openly after she got her results. She was placed at a school she does not wish to attend.

"I am disappointed," Jheneal said. "I really wanted to go to Meadowbrook."