Private tutorial schools to be graded

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2: Education chiefs are to grade private tutorial schools and insist on regular progress reports on children schooled at home.

Education Minister Dame Jennifer Smith added that screening for potential problems in two-year-old children, carried out by the child development programme, will be made mandatory and extended to three-year-olds.

Governor George Fergusson, delivering the Throne Speech on behalf of Government, said: “It is known that children who enter school with learning, psychological motor or social deficits have a greater chance of exhibiting negative behaviours in later life.

“Therefore, it is important for Government authorities to engage the parent and child as soon as possible to detect any potential deficits.

“Early identification and intervention provides the best opportunity for student success.”

Dame Jennifer added that steps would also be taken to cut down on truancy and to assess how many school-age children might not be registered at schools at all.