Students at all 18 public primary schools are expected to have sat a controversial exam identifying “gifted” students by the end of today.

Teachers at two schools had threatened to boycott the Otis-Lennon School Ability test (OLSAT) after claiming that it was introduced without sufficient notice.

The exam which assesses how gifted students are, was implemented by Government “to establish a baseline survey” of the abilities of the Island’s 2,600 primary school students.

Last night an Education Ministry spokesman said officials had met with the principals and teachers from both schools — Port Royal Primary and West End Primary — and that all students will have sat the exam by today.

“Testing has taken place at 14 schools last week, and we expect to have OLSAT testing completed by Tuesday for four remaining schools,” a Ministry spokesman said, adding that auditions for the creative arts identification programme will take place for 48 students this week.

Responding to concerns over the exam, Acting Commissioner of Education Lou Matthews yesterday said: “We acknowledge that the fixed timelines for testing and auditions is upon us very quickly however it is necessary to complete these steps in order to make the pertinent decisions.

“We did meet with principals and administrators prior to the testing taking place at the schools.

“We are pleased that most schools have completed the testing, others will finish this week.

“The department will continue to assist teachers and provide school leaders with information about the process to ease any uneasiness.

“We value the input of our school leaders and teachers because this will only help to ensure that we have the best possible programme for all of our children.”

Port Royal principal Holly Richardson could not be contacted yesterday, but the parent of one child at the school said that students will be sitting the exam today.

“Teachers are administering it begrudgingly as they feel the test is not suitable and is, in fact discriminatory,” the parent, who asked not to be named, said.

The parent expressed anger that little notice had been given before the test, and also questioned if Government would pursue plans for the creation of a “super school’ for talented students.

“The Ministry still needs to answer the question about why parents were given so little notice and so little information, and why that information was misleading or ambiguous,” the parent said.

“They also need to answer questions about why teachers weren’t given complete information in advance, rather than just throwing it at them.

“A parent’s first line of questioning, when it comes to the education of their child, will always be the classroom teacher.

“They also need to answer why they chose this test over others, especially considering some of the controversy behind it in regards to not being good at identifying the highest of achievers, as well as issues of discrimination.”

According to the parent, earlier letters to parents refered to the possible creation of a new “super’ school” — but the idea appeared to have been shelved.

“Early conversations with teachers confirmed this, yet the ministry seems to be backtracking now, by stating the test is simply to get a baseline,” the parent said.

In his statement yesterday, Dr Matthews said: “The purpose of the testing is to collect baseline data that will identify the population of students who require gifted services.

“The results of this baseline data will assist the Department in determining how to proceed with the introduction and implementation of the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) programme. As such, no decisions will be made until we have the baseline information.”

The spokesman added that the GATE programme was in keeping with the mandate of the Education Act 2009 which requires suitable education in Bermuda’s public schools to provide for a child’s aptitude, ability and special needs — including the needs of those with learning disabilities and those who are gifted.