At this time of the school-year, most 4th formers are just counting down the days to graduation. Some of their teachers as well certainly can't wait to see their star students walk up to get their diplomas. But for the teachers at the Belmopan Comprehensive School, the time leading up to the end of the school year has been frustrating. That's because they say the board of management want to implement new policies at the last minute - to allow failing fourth formers to pass. The teachers were not having it so they staged a two day sit out which started on Wednesday. I went to Compre today to see if things had settled down. Here is more.
Courtney Weatherburne reporting
A friendly football match to pass lunchtime - although classes resumed today after the 2 day teacher sit out - for 4th formers, much of the day was spent like this, laid back. But while the senior students enjoy their final days at school, the teachers have to figure out how to settle their issues with management. Those issues center on the calculation and teacher access to final grades.
Addie Alvarado, Head of the Spanish Dept.
"We requested from the principal to see the results before it is presented to the board and she said she will not do that, she said she will present it to the board and give it to us. After that meeting, then the HOD's had another meeting where we saw the results with some recommendations. We were not in agreement with the recommendations from the board because they do not go according to the policies we have at Belmopan Comprehensive School. That the 68's become a pass, a 70, and that the students be given consideration through a written exam, that will then replace the final grade and give the students a chance to pass, to graduate."
Courtney Weatherburne, reporter
"And you guys, the teachers and staff don't agree with that?"
Addie Alvarado, Head of the Spanish Dept.
"No because it is not, 68 is not two points, we are talking about 21 grades here, so it is a final average, so the consideration that will be given to the students were up to 65 and that is whole lot of points. And then we proposed, we counter proposed that let us look at it, let us consider it because with the board's recommendation some people that were failing 5 subjects will be able to graduate so we were suggesting, let us look at the failures, let us look at the repeaters, let us adhere to the policies there and if we want to give them a consideration allow them to come for summer school for 4 weeks, sit an exam and if they are successful, the diploma will be given, however that recommendation was rejected."
After that rejection, the HOD's agreed to a meeting with the board of management to further discuss the issue and compromise. That meeting was held this afternoon. The staff says they just want the board to listen to them and consider their position. They say they only want to uphold the integrity of students grades and the school.
Addie Alvarado, Head of the Spanish Dept.
"Belmopan has a reputation, has been known for one of the best and we don't want to water anything down. We want when somebody presents a transcript, when somebody presents a diploma then it means something. We don't want them to say somebody felt sorry for you so you graduated. So that means that the hard working student gets jilted for persons who are lazy so we are just looking out for the school and the students."
When we spoke to Alvarado this evening, she said the afternoon meeting with the board was a very productive one. In the end, the teachers got what they wanted and the board will not go ahead with their proposed system. The teachers will also have full access to student's grades before they are sent off to the board.
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