Caption: A man walks past a Foxconn signage and robots on display during the Hon Hai Tech day in Taipei on November 21, 2025.

Summary

• Historic Gathering: Over 300 Caribbean education stakeholders, including Ministers of Education, are meeting in Kingston, Jamaica (March 16–19), for the first regional education conference of its kind.
• Digital Focus: Hosted by CXC and Jamaica’s Ministry of Education, the conference aims to address teaching, learning, and assessment in the digital age, with a strong focus on generative AI and e-assessments.
• Rescheduled Event: The summit was originally planned for October 2025 on Jamaica’s north coast but was postponed due to Hurricane Melissa.
• AI in SBAs: Concurrently, CXC has issued guidelines to principals reassuring them that AI usage in School Based Assessments (SBAs) will be managed fairly, utilizing both AI detection tools and human judgment.
• Guidelines for Students: While AI use is not mandatory, students who use it for brainstorming or structuring must properly cite their sources. CXC plans to hold further focus groups on AI management ahead of the September 2026 school term.

 

By Sue-Ann Wayow

MORE than 300 education stakeholders from across the Caribbean, including Ministers of Education, are gathered in Jamaica this week to discuss teaching, learning, and assessment in the digital age.

The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) and Jamaica’s Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth, and Information have partnered to facilitate the first regional education conference and ministerial forum of its kind between March 16 and 19 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston.

The event was originally set for October 2025 on Jamaica’s north coast but was disrupted by the passage of Hurricane Melissa, CXC stated on its website.

CXC’s Director of Operations, Dr Nicole Manning, said, “CXC is facilitating this meeting of the finest minds in Caribbean education at a time when the region is seeking to scale efforts to equip in-school learners with electronic devices, adapt to generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), and embrace electronic assessment and teaching via online modalities.”

Jamaica’s Minister of Education, Skills, Youth, and Information, Dana Morris Dixon, will be a keynote speaker during the four days of meetings.

She said, “Jamaica welcomes this timely conference by CXC with our fellow educators from across the region. The goals of this regional meeting are in alignment with Jamaica’s TREND education strategy, where the use of ICTs within the education system is a key pillar to achieve our national goals for world-class education and training, and a technology-enabled society.”

The Regional Education Conference is being sponsored by Stephen Austin & Sons Ltd., Hachette Learning, Vretta Inc., WizdomCRM Caribbean Ltd., and the Association of Chartered Accountants (Caribbean).

CXC to manage AI use

Last week, CXC assured stakeholders that plagiarism and other irregularities over the years have been managed, and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be no different.

In a memo issued to principals, Dr. Manning stated that CXC acknowledged feedback and concerns regarding the usage and management of AI for School Based Assessments (SBAs).

“We also recognise the variability of some AI detection tools and wish to assure you that decisions will not be based solely on the AI Originality Report,” she wrote.

In addition to the Originality Report, CXC will rely on the details within the Disclosure Form. Any concerns flagged during marking will be reviewed using human judgment and supporting evidence, Manning assured.

She also stated that if, after the review, CXC finds that more information is required, the council will reach out to centres and/or the local registrar ahead of the release of preliminary results.

Manning referred to Levels 1 and 2 of the adapted Artificial Intelligence Assessment Scale (AIAS). Teachers and principals are reminded that the use of AI in SBAs is not mandatory.

Level 1 of the AIAS is “No AI,” which means that the SBA was completed entirely without AI assistance. In instances where “No AI” has been used, the Disclosure Form and Originality Report are not required.

In instances where AI has been used for brainstorming, creating structures, and generating ideas for improving work, students must cite their sources within their SBA, as outlined in the Standards and Guidelines.

CXC thanked teachers, principals, and local registrars for their recommendations and committed to further engaging with stakeholders in focus group sessions to garner feedback on the use and management of AI in SBAs during the July-August period, ahead of the start of the September 2026 school term.

Manning stated, “CXC has been fairly managing issues of plagiarism and other irregularities over the years and assures all stakeholders that AI use will be no different.

“CXC’s already proven system to resolve perceived issues includes, but is not limited to, obtaining the voice of the candidate, teacher, and, where required, the principal. Additionally, CXC continues to utilise teachers from across the region who understand the issues, and we engage them throughout the marking and grading process.”