Ministry Tracks – By Kisean Joseph
Ministry Tracks Students Director
The Ministry of Education tracks students’ academic performance from Grade Six National Assessment through to the fifth form level, Director of Education Clare Browne has confirmed.
He said the approach forms part of a wider effort to improve student outcomes nationally.
Browne said individual- and school-level performance data are compiled into detailed reports, which are then used to identify students who require additional support.
“The Ministry of Education believes in data-driven decision-making. And so, we look at the stats… individual performances, school performances, all those things are put in a report,” Browne said.
He said the tracking system is not limited to identifying struggling students, but also informs how teachers are trained and supported in the classroom.
“The only way we can improve is if we look, whether individually or collectively; school, country. The only way we can improve is if we look at the data, look at weaknesses, see what needs intervention, and we offer that intervention,” Browne said.
According to Browne, the data has already shaped targeted professional development sessions for teachers, spanning from the kindergarten level up to the secondary school system. He said this ensures support is not limited to Grade Six teachers alone, but extends across the full span of a student’s academic development.
Browne also said the Ministry intends to strengthen its physical presence in schools, moving beyond reports submitted by principals and senior teachers.
“We want to be on the ground because that is secondhand information. In a firsthand way, we want to be able to monitor… so as to improve the student outcomes,” Browne said.
He said the increased classroom presence would allow the Ministry to observe teaching practices directly, rather than relying solely on information passed along through school administrations.
