The countrywide re-sitting of the Professional Nursing Programme Student’s Examination was placed on hold until Police wrap up its investigation into the allegation that the papers were sold to students beforehand.
Some of the protesting nursing students
Nursing students recently protested over the Guyana Nursing Council’s (GNC) decision for them to retake the final exam after it was discovered that the papers were compromised.
Highly annoyed by the turn of events, some of the nursing students attached to the New Amsterdam Nursing School took to the streets to express dissatisfaction in suffering the consequences of a few others.
“We are unhappy of a decision to punish an entire country for the mistakes of a few. On top of that, the papers for the examination are being printed by the Council; it means that it was leaked from the Council, so we are annoyed because we don’t know why we should be punished for something that occurred in their organisation,” one of the nurses said.
Additionally, they argued that the time for a re-sit is too short since they were not given adequate time to prepare for another examination.
However, intervention by the Public Health Ministry on Monday saw this decision being deferred until Police complete their probe into the alleged breach.
Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton, told media operatives on Tuesday that the Ministry’s Health Policy Committee met with the Nursing Council and other stakeholders to discuss the matter when it was decided that a re-sitting of the examination should be contingent to the findings of the investigation.
Dr Norton explained that if the extent of which the papers were leaked was major, then most likely students will have to retake the exam but if it was to a minimal level, then alternatives would be explored to grade the budding nurses.
He said proposals have been made for the coursework of the students throughout their three years be used to determine their success as an alternative to rewriting the exam.
However, if it comes down to having to retake the examination, the Minister said a decision will have to be made regarding which organisation will spearhead the initiative.
He explained that if the Nursing Council is found to be greatly corrupt, then an independent body will have to set the papers, while efforts will be made to revamp the GNC.
Asked about possible penalties for those found culpable, the Minister said that is up to the courts to decide.
He also did not say definitively if students found guilty of purchasing the exam papers will be punished. When prompted, the Minister said “you can only buy if you are being sold.” Dr Norton empathised with the nursing students and asked them to be patient while the matter is being resolved.
He emphasised that it is of utmost importance that the problem is solved in a timely manner since the nursing sector is always in need of young professionals.
Some 250 nursing students stand to be affected by the decisions made in relation to this matter. (Devina Samaroo)
