MOTHER'S LOVE: From left, Troy Hamblin, his mother Kathyann Hamblin; Kathyann Delphi and her son Juneel Delphi, were a picture of happiness after the boys completed their exams.

by CARLOS ATWELL

TUESDAY'S BARBADOS SECONDARY School Entrance Examination was again a mixture of emotions – from anxiety and anticipation to relief and joy.

And these were just the parents!

The DAILY NATION was at the Christ Church Foundation School on tuesday talking with parents who were barred from entering the school grounds.

One parent, who last brought a child to the exam six years ago, said she was unhappy at not being able to enter the school gates but another said she was glad.

"I have no problem with it. This is the third child I've brought here and I have never waited. I like them to feel responsible," said Kathy Brathwaite.

Principal of the school, Robert Cumberbatch, said the stricter measures were taken this year for the safety and security of the children, as they have had a number of bomb scares and you "really don't know who is actually a parent".

He also said it helped to keep the children calm as parents were sometimes more anxious than their children.

Later at Deighton Griffith Secondary School, the crowd of relieved children came running into the arms of their anxious parents around 1 p.m.

Some parents waited for over four hours for their children, some sheltered under bushes or umbrellas to get away from the heat.

"It was easy but Section B of the grammar was the hardest part. I feel good now, I'm glad it's over and I think I passed," said Luther Thorne pupil Danielle Johnson, who hopes to attend The St Michael School.

Vanessa-Ann Keany, also of Luther Thorne, thought the exam was easy as well, but considered math the
most difficult part.

"I will get the same education at any school but I chose Queen's College or The St Michael School," she said.

Another Luther Thorne pupil, Simon Lewis, has his sights set on Harrison College. He, too, had little trouble with the exam but said grammar gave him the hardest time.

Two youngsters from Vauxhall Primary, Juneel Delphi and Troy Hamblin, said they encountered some unfamiliar math problems but were confident they did well.

As for after exam celebrations, some pupils headed for Divi Southwinds for a special treat while others made tracks for places such as gaming store Komik Kraze in Sheraton and pastry house Flindt Patisserie. (CA)