ST ANDREW, Jamaica — Education Minister Ruel Reid is reporting a 100 per cent placement of the 39,510 students who sat the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) this year.

Reid, who was speaking at a press conference at the ministry’s Heroes Circle Office in Kingston today, disclosed that 80 per cent (30,789) of the cohort was placed in a school of their choice, while another 17 per cent of (6524) students were placed in secondary schools close in proximity to the primary schools that they attended.

“In regards to student placement, I think this was a very good achievement all over the country,” said Reid, adding that years before it was hard to get all students placed in high schools.

However the minister said that notwithstanding the full placement in high schools, the ministry is still cognisant that there are still 21 high schools on shift.

“I have announced and reiterated that we have commenced the process to construct 17 new schools that will take our primary and secondary schools off shifts,” said Reid, who added that four parishes are currently being focused on – Manchester, Clarendon, St Ann and St James.

In the meantime, Reid said that the results will be accessible to schools on Thursday by 6:00 am.

The GSAT exam was held on March 22 and 23 and the 39,510 students were the last cohort to sit the exam as, come next year, it will be replaced by the Primary Exit Profile (PEP).