By Sue-Ann Wayow
THE major Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) examinations will now take place on June 28 at all its territories in the region.
This is a delay of two weeks which would provide candidates with additional time to prepare for examinations, CXC announced at a press conference on Wednesday.
The exams to be written include the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) and the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC).
CXC’s Registrar Dr Wayne Wesley said the examinations would start on June 28 with release of results during the last week in September to the first week of October. In order to ensure that results become available for students who have been accepted to universities, he said additional markers have been hired.
He added that last year, although results were also delayed, there were no reports of problems to get into universities by pupils as the universities were understanding of the situation.
All of the papers would be administered in their original formats. CXC had already made adjustments to the School Based Assessments (SBA) and offered the option to defer the exam.
CXC’s Chairman, Professor Hilary Beckles said some countries wanted delays ranging from three to five weeks, but there was need for practicality.
He said, “The majority of the countries were saying we are ready now and we don’t want any delay.”
Intense discussions were held with various stakeholders including the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD), Ministers of Education, Permanent Secretaries and the Caribbean Union of Teachers and their proposals taken into consideration.
Dr Wesley said CXC has also extended the deadline to May 31, 2021 for candidates to defer sitting exams and CSEC and CAPE candidates would now have until June 30, 2021 to submit them.
Both Sir Beckles and Dr Wesley pledged CXC’s commitment to provided quality service to pupils and teachers.
