Caribbean Exam to Replace GSAT soon

The Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) is developing a Primary Exit Examination (PEE), Professor of Research, Measurement and Evaluation at the University of the West Indies’ (UWI) School of Education, Mona, Dr. Stafford Griffith, has disclosed. Speaking at a luncheon hosted by the UWI for dignitaries attending the 14th CARICOM Presidents and Governors-General Conference in Jamaica on Tuesday (November 22), Professor Griffith said the exam will focus on pupils in primary schools in the region, acquiring the skills which will enable them to make a “proper” transition to secondary education.

He said the move is in response to multiple requests from CXC member countries, and is guided by a study in which he served as a lead consultant.

Headquartered in Barbados, the Caribbean Examinations Council was established in 1972 by an agreement among 15 English-speaking Commonwealth Caribbean countries and territories. Member countries include: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands.

The CXC’s objectives are to: provide regionally and internationally recognized secondary school leaving examinations, relevant to the needs of the region; assist in Common Entrance and other types of examinations; produce teaching materials and train teachers to use the CXC syllabi; and advise regional Governments on education matters.

The Council administers a number of courses and examinations at the secondary, post secondary levels, and vocational levels. These include: the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC), offered in 34 subjects; the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE), offered in 44 units; the Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence (CCSLC), which defines the skills and competencies that all secondary school leavers should have; and the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) which defines skills for the entry level and skilled workers, in certain vocational areas.

Professor Griffith advised that the Council has expanded its use of technology and social media, “as a way of staying connected with the CXC community, and keeping that community connected”.

“It has also initiated a number of administrative reforms, which will make its work increasingly more relevant to the changing needs of the Caribbean, while stimulating efficiency gains in its operations. This will, ultimately, accrue to the benefit of the Caribbean community,” he added.

Ten Heads of State from Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica, are attending the four-day conference being held in Kingston, between November 21 and 24, under the theme, “Building Together for the Future”.

Via – JIS