By Stacey Davidson
Guyana Chronicle
April 11, 2001

CHIEF Education Officer, Mr. Ed Caesar yesterday advised that the Secondary Schools Entrance Examinations (SSEE) are still on as scheduled today and tomorrow and appealed for peace so students can concentrate on the tests.

At a press conference at the National Centre for Education Resource Development in Kingston, Georgetown, Caesar said the two days should be dedicated specially for the young people, with no incidence of violence to distract their attention.

". . . we need to devote those two days for the development of our young people and no better way to dedicate those two days to our young people than to ensure that there is total peace in all respects, in all parts of our country," Caesar stated.

He pointed out that the examinations are being conducted as planned because, as a nation, Guyanese must think of the development of young people.

"I am aware that everyone would consciously want our young people to proceed with their examinations.

"I am appealing to everyone to support the 15,000 plus young people who will be writing the examinations at several centres throughout the country on Wednesday (today) and Thursday (tomorrow)", he pleaded.

According to Caesar, the slightest sound, for instance that of a siren, can have severe impact on the children.

He urged relatives and communities to give the students who will be writing the tests all the support they need.

The examinations, Caesar reiterated, are among of the most important for the development of the students and determine, in a very meaningful way, where they will be placed and what further training they will be exposed to.

"To criticise a child's performance would not help, to encourage him to do better on the next occasion would help", Caesar remarked.

Today, the students will be writing English Language - Papers One and Two and Science - Papers One and Two in the morning and afternoon, respectively.

And tomorrow, they are expected to write Mathematics - Papers One and Two, and Social Studies - Papers One and Two in the morning and afternoon, respectively.