The Ministry of Education has announced plans to replace traditional end-of-year school exams with standardized national assessments across key grade levels, as part of a broader education reform initiative set to begin in September 2025.
Speaking at the official release of the 2025 Grade 6 National Assessment results on Friday, Minister for Education Octavia Alfred stated that future assessments may be introduced at Grades 3 and 5. These would be developed and administered by the Ministry, ensuring uniformity in evaluating student performance across the island.
The move is aimed at reducing academic pressure on students and improving the quality and fairness of evaluations. It also supports efforts to phase out the current format of the Grade 6 National Assessment, which officials say has “outlived its purpose” in its high-stakes structure.
Education Minister Octavia Alfred
Curriculum officers and teachers are expected to work closely with the Ministry to ensure a smooth transition. Further consultations with school stakeholders will continue in the coming months.