Students in grades seven to 10 in 30 high schools are expected to sit examinations in six subjects next June aimed at helping them prepare for the crucial Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations in a few years’ time.

A contract was signed between e-Learning Jamaica Ltd (e-Ljam) and the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) for the introduction of the tests, which will help parents and teachers determine whether students are on track to sit CSEC, the main matriculating exams done by most students in grade 11.

Marcia Forbes, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Mining and Telecommunications, underscored the significance of the project, saying it would assist stakeholders in monitoring the performance of students.

“It means our children won’t have to wait until [they sit] CXC (CSEC) to see how they are doing because they will be assessed at grades seven to 10,” Forbes told the Observer. “Teachers and parents will understand where the weaknesses are, and will be able to take remedial action at an early stage.”

Forbes said the purpose of the e-Learning project was to give more Jamaicans access to information and communications technology.

“The Government has recognised the importance of ICT as one of the pillars of the development of country, and so getting our children computer literate; getting computers and video technology in schools is part of the wider thrust to create a knowledgeable society,” she said.

Avril Crawford, chief executive officer of e-Ljam, said six subjects – English, Mathematics, Integrated Science, Resource and Technology, Social Studies and Spanish – will be done in 30 schools under the pilot. She said the schools were selected on a geographic basis from the parishes of Kingston and St Andrew, St Catherine, and St Thomas. She noted that the schools in the pilot included so-called traditional and non-traditional schools, and those in urban as well as rural areas.

Crawford said there were 10 video lectures on the subjects ready for distribution on DVD, as well as through cable television and the Internet.

“We will assess the programme after June and use the lessons learnt in the roll out [of the project] to all of 172 institutions, including the eight teachers’ colleges and special schools,” Crawford said.

The e-Ljam project utilises ICT to introduce new approaches to impart instruction, stimulate learning and deliver education to students.

It is funded through the Universal Access Fund, which is collected from a cess on international phone calls to Jamaica.