Students attending the two senior secondary schools have strong objections to the extra year of school, saying that for them it all boils down to the issue of space.

The Royal Gazette spoke with several students to get their reactions to the extra year.

Carlos Trott, 16, a student at CedarBridge Academy said: "I feel that it shouldn't be right, Where are we going to put everyone, its not enough space up CedarBridge, its not enough space for everything. I feel it not right, it shouldn't be done."

Raykeisha Burgess, 17 of CedarBridge said that the planning for the extra year could have been handled better, especially when the Ministry of Education knew it was coming.

"I feel this extra year, they rushed into it. They do not know where to put us," said Ms Burgess. "They should have thought about where they were going to put us."

She added: "The only good thing is that it helps us get into college."

This sentiment was echoed by Berkeley student Zayne Bean, 18, who said: "The present government or the government before should have had this figured out instead of waiting until the last minute. To find a solution now is not going to please anyone."

Berkeley students Ellsworth Ratteray, 16, and Dwayne Fubler, 17, said that they had some reservations about the idea, citing that although an extra year might cause some problems, some good might come from the situation.

"It gives the people who are not ready for college the chance to pick up credits they need," said Mr. Ratteray. "But it has two sides to it. Since they don't have anywhere to put us, it really doesn't make sense to have an extra year."

Mr. Fubler said: "This extra year was giving us another chance to make up some credits we need to graduate. For others they are just taking it for granted. But for those who can make use of it, it is a good idea.

"It's a little bit messed up because they really don't have anywhere to put us next year."

Solomon Godwin, 16, from CedarBridge said: "At first I didn't like it, but then again they are doing it for the betterment of me."

Fellow CedarBridge student Michelle Brockinton, 16, had similar feelings about the extra year.

"It's a very good idea instead of going to the college and having to pay, we have the opportunity to go to school free."

She added: "I like my school and I don't mind going back. It has a lot to offer and its a very good school."

Plans have been made for portable classrooms to be placed around both schools to accommodate the large number of students.

Robin Richardson, public relations officer for the CedarBridge Parent Teachers Association, said the students seemed to be fine with the idea of the extra year as long as it did not affect them.

He said that students at CedarBridge Academy were informed about the changes through a general assembly.

He added: "The student who will be in the S4 classes will have a completely different timetable then the other students. Their classes may start and end later then the other students."