The Ministry of Education acknowledges a deeply unfortunate and misleading statement made by Amika Lewis, a candidate from We Invest in Nationhood (WIN). Her comments regarding the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) results of Adriana Younge were not only inappropriate but also exploitative, particularly in light of the tragic circumstances surrounding the child’s death. This behavior is reprehensible and carries serious implications.
The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) has been responsible for setting, managing, and marking the NGSA since 2016. Questioning the integrity of CXC’s processes undermines the credibility of every Guyanese and Caribbean citizen who has obtained CXC qualifications. Such unfounded claims pose significant risks to our youth, affecting their opportunities for higher education and employment. It is both selfish and reckless to jeopardize the futures of our young people for political gain.
Adriana Younge was initially registered to take the NGSA at Meten-Meer-Zorg Islamic Academy. However, her parents later transferred her to Parika Salem Primary School after her registration. Consequently, she participated as a “walk-in candidate” at Parika Salem, which is permissible under NGSA regulations. This change resulted in the issuance of a different candidate number for the exam.
Each child is required to answer four questions per subject in Paper 2, with the exception of English, where one essay or letter is written. Each script is marked by at least 13 different individuals, with a further re-marking by another set of at least 13 different assessors. This rigorous marking process is managed by CXC to ensure accuracy and fairness.
The multiple-choice Paper 1 is marked by machine in Barbados, making any alteration to grades virtually impossible without extensive collaboration among numerous professionals.
It is important to note that the top-performing child in this year’s NGSA achieved a perfect score of 100%. The standards for entrance into national schools are high, and any candidate who lost more than 13 raw marks relative to subject performance was ineligible for admission in 2025.
The Ministry of Education remains committed to maintaining the confidentiality of children’s academic records and urges political candidates to exercise responsibility in their statements. Our children deserve respect and integrity in discussions surrounding their education and achievements. We encourage all candidates to reflect on their words and prioritize the well-being of our youth.
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