Are you a student whose exams have been affected by the violence? Or did you miss an exam because you were unable to leave home? Tell us about your experience

Saccheen Laing (Merlgrove High School)

Yes, it has affected my CAPE examinations in that the focus that should have been primarily set on my exam was shifted to the violence all around and it sent me on somewhat of an emotional roller coaster.

Chantelle Dassado (Campion College)

Not directly, but while studying I could hear gunshots and helicopters, which was very distracting because sometimes it lasted for half an hour or more.

Rhainecia Trench (St Jago)

The experience was terrifying in the middle of a paper shots rang out my concentration disappeared, and it was very hard to regain my focus.

Tasha-kay White (Immaculate)

Well, at this moment my exams have not been affected by the ongoing operation. But I am afraid that if there is no improvement by next week my last exam may be affected slightly. I don’t think it will be a case where I will miss it, though.

Jason Robertson (Wolmer’s Boys)

My exams weren’t really affected; I was one of the fortunate ones, who had private transport. My only fear was for the students, who could have been shot going to and from the centres, because of lack of security on the campuses.

Jesse Thompson (Jamaica College)

The unrest caused the absence of public transportation. I ended up reaching school 45 minutes late for my Physics exam (Tuesday). I can’t wait for this thing to end because I just can’t be bothered with gunshot beating after me.

Douglas Fletcher (Campion)

I actually found that it has been an advantage to me. The entire ordeal has been depressing in itself and I found that the best way to get my mind off of all of it was to study more. I haven’t missed any exams, but so far, they’ve all been good.

Amy (Excelsior Community College)

This week we had CAPE Biology (Unit 2) Exam at Mico. The people in my Biology class went through a really bad experience trying to finish up our biology unit 2 exams in the midst of the gunshots. It was INSANE! If you ask me, the gunshots were VERY close by. In fact, that day it would seem as though a bullet actually came through the gym (at Mico Teacher’s college). They had to pull down the iron shutters fast!! They (the invigilators) were extremely fearful that they’d get shot. Our hearts were beating outside our chests!! I was on the lookout to see if we were going to get shot ourselves!

So, that was about a 20 minute wait in itself as the time ran out for the exam, some of my classmates and close friend nearby me began to cry. Several people put up iron chairs (the ones you can fold) in front of themselves for protection. It was like trying to do an exam in a war zone! By the way, did I mention we went on the floor!, and finished out exams in that way! Also, I heard explosions and gunshots even before it got to that extent. When it came to finishing the exam some people were so baffled that they didn’t even seem to be able to continue.

I finished, however. But I know that they won’t take the situation as serious as it really was and won’t compensate us for any points we could have gotten in normal conditions. I am especially annoyed because I got a Grade One in Unit 1 biology and now I don’ know what to expect this time around. My classmates and I are sure, the other high schools here and the students on the other side of the gym were shaken. I mean how can you concentrate with gunshots around you?!