MESC STATEMENT : A total of 42 colleges nationwide, came to a standstill during the 9 days in which the national examinations were held. The number of students participating was 2341 for Year 12 SSC and 1,883 students for Year 13 SSLC examinations. A total of 17 subjects at Year 12 and 18 subjects at Year 13 were being examined. It was pleasing to note that in 2020, 4 colleges sat the Development Studies examination. For more than 10 years, this subject was offered at only one college; it is also a subject that is taught and examinable at Year 13 level only.
The 2020 National Examinations was held 4 weeks later than usual due to preventative safety measures imposed. Government SOE’s were put into place and schools closed down. The pandemics had taken its toll globally and Samoa responded accordingly. As a result, MESC moved to delay examinations whilst teachers ensured the full curricula was covered and thereby allowing students to be fairly tested. Given the postponement, the Ministry has had to work through the normal PSC holidays to help parents and students make/confirm plans; in particular those wishing to enter NUS or other tertiary and post-secondary training institutes.
The year 2020 has been one of the most, if not the most challenging year globally. Nonetheless, for many of our young people in Samoa, all that focus is quickly being replaced with anticipation, anxiety and fervent hope that one’s examination results will bring a light of reprieve and thankfulness. Well, January 18 is D-Day when provisional results will be released to College principals. No doubt all colleges will be expecting parents and students eager to uplift their results. To help all in the Education Sector, especially students enrolling into NUS from the 25th January, the last day for Recounts is the 22 January. On that note, to all 2020 SSC and SSLC students, the MESC extends very best wishes for 2021.