Source: Adapted from reporting by the Daily Observer.

The Ministry of Education has once again reminded parents that school transfers for students entering secondary school will not be approved simply because of personal preference, maintaining that transfers will only be considered where an administrative error has been made by the Ministry.

The clarification came as officials released the 2026 Grade Six National Assessment results, urging parents to allow the placement process to work as intended.

Director of Education Clare Browne said parents who believe a genuine placement error has occurred have one week to submit a written request for review. However, he stressed that requests based solely on dissatisfaction with a child’s assigned school will not be entertained.

According to Browne, the Ministry had already begun receiving transfer requests even before examination results were released, prompting renewed appeals for parents to avoid overwhelming the Ministry with applications that do not meet the established criteria.

He encouraged families to have confidence in the country’s education system, noting that all secondary schools are equipped to provide students with a quality education.

Using a familiar analogy, Browne said a child’s success depends more on their commitment and support than on the school they attend.

“A flower doesn’t look for the perfect garden to bloom. Wherever it is planted, it blooms,” he said.

Parents seeking a review of a placement must first have their request endorsed by the child’s current primary school before submitting it to the Ministry of Education. Officials said all requests must be received by next Friday.

Rather than processing applications individually, the Ministry will collect the letters at its front desk and forward them to the Director of Education’s office for assessment.

Parents can expect a written response within two weeks advising whether a placement adjustment has been approved.

Browne reiterated that changes will only be made in instances where the Ministry determines that a genuine placement error occurred, noting that student placements follow a structured process developed by the Measurement and Evaluation Unit.

Meanwhile, Acting Assistant Director of Education and head of the Measurement and Evaluation Unit, Jevelle Gore-Hurst, reported that 89 percent of the 1,284 students who sat this year’s Grade Six National Assessment achieved acceptable results, with more than half placing within the top academic tier.