KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Ruel Reid, says the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) will allow students to be better prepared for high school.

Speaking at the ministry’s Region Six appreciation banquet for retired principals, and launch of the School Improvement Support Initiative at The Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston yesterday, the minister said the profile of students will reflect more their ability and the likelihood of the foundation as they transition into secondary school.

“Multiple-choice [questions] actually skew the results. They get good grades through Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) and after the first year in high school you really wonder, was this a student with 90 per cent, because 90 per cent was with multiple choice? Reid questioned.

The PEP, which students will sit for the first time next year, replaces the GSAT as the national secondary school placement examination. It is intended to provide an improved and more complete profile of students’ academic and critical-thinking capabilities at the end of primary-level education.

Reid pointed out that high schools require a higher level of critical thinking, for which PEP will prepare the students.

“It will give you greater certainty and predictability in even your Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) or any other achievement later on. So, we are going through the change, and it’s a change for the better. We need to push the system along that pathway,” the minister said.

Meanwhile, the minister congratulated the retirees, noting that they have been able to inspire others through exhibiting good leadership.

“You are adept at building relationships with people. You balanced tough love with earned praise, you exhibited fairness and consistency and you were prepared for everything and at all times,” he said.