The Provincial Education Board has raised the cut-off mark for a student to be eligible to be selected into Grade 9.
Secretary for Education, Dr. Uke Kombra, says this is due to space limitations in secondary schools, including the National Capital District.
About 115,000 Grade 8 students in 3,007 primary schools throughout the country will sit for their final Grade 8 Eight Examination on Monday 30th October to Thursday 2nd November 2017.
Because of this, Dr Kombra is urging provinces to provide alternative pathways such as Flexible, Open and Distance Education (FODE) and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) for the students so that they reach Grade 12 or have employable vocational and technical skills.
He said this examination is very important for the students because it will determine how much the students have covered during the last eight years in the primary level and whether they continue into Grade 9 or not.
“I appeal to the parents, guardians and teachers to give as much support as possible to help prepare our Grade 8 students for this examination. We all have a duty to ensure that each and every child is given the opportunity to sit for the exam,” said Dr Kombra.
“On behalf of the Department of Education, I wish all our Grade 8 students the very best in their examination.”