Padawan exams

Third formers in Guyana are poised to write their “National Third Form Exams” (NTFE) next week. But most of them are probably “throwing back” and viewing these exams as a break from their internal exams. I know that’s certainly what we did in our year! I guess it’s because these exams aren’t really given the same hype that surrounds NGSA, CSEC and CAPE. I mean, most of us weren’t even aware that there was a NTFE until we were in Third Form, and it was a pity, since we didn’t really take the exam seriously to try to work past papers etc. We didn’t really take the projects seriously either.
In retrospect, it probably would have turned out better if we’d given the exam a bit more attention since unquestionably; third form is an essential foundational year.
Third Form is the Padawan year. From my experience, whatever work ethic you develop then, that’ll continue with you for the rest of your school life – as a Jedi! Lots of schools like Queens allow their students to experience the CSEC and CAPE level type of subjects by splitting up Integrated Science into Biology, Chemistry and Physics, allowing students to get a taste of what’s to come and the same with the business subjects.
Students then choose streams like ‘pigs in a poke’. Usually, Third Form is the year where students cover the most subjects and they either continue with that number or drop unwanted subjects.
I think Third Form is the middle ground, like a middle child – kind of in-between.
Third formers are too old to be babied and yet they’re not old enough to be given as much responsibility as the Upper School. But yet they’re expected to make rather important decisions about their futures.
Most schools hold their streaming meeting in Third Form and the students and parents have to decide what stream the child will enter and how many subjects the child will write for CSEC. But many people don’t appreciate the importance of these decisions: in more than one sense one’s future career is being chosen. So I would like to implore all parents to sit down with their children and help them decide what subjects to write. Not every child is identical. By Third Form, maybe since First Form, some children would have had a clear idea of what career they want to pursue and they may have their entire lifespan mapped out in front of them – these children won’t really need much help in choosing their stream and subjects.
But other children are still not quite sure. That doesn’t mean that they don’t care about their future or they don’t want to make a decision about their career. It’s more likely they’re not ready to think so far ahead. Such children and their parents should pick streams based on the child’s general preferences.
At the CSEC level, the streams and subjects are still very general, you can enter the science or business streams but it doesn’t mean that you have to end up being a doctor or businesswoman – as is the stereotype.
There are literally thousands of jobs available out there in a world dominated by science and business. When the child is ready to choose a specific career, he or she can then specialise in the specific field – and have a worthwhile background in other areas.
May the force be with you!