CXC’s decision to phase out some subjects should not affect students in Antigua and Barbuda.

By Aabigayle McIntosh

The decision by the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) to phase out certain subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) will not affect students in Antigua and Barbuda.

CXC Registrar Myrick Smith gave this assurance amidst an uproar in Jamaica, where the Jamaica Teachers Association is calling for relevant stakeholders to outline measures to cushion potential fallout.

The subjects affected are Agricultural Science (double award) and Mechanical Engineering at the CSEC and CAPE levels, as well as Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Technology, and Green Engineering. Reports indicate that the decision was taken due to a low take-up by students.

Smith explained, “Over the past few years, fewer students have signed up for the Agriculture Double Award, and the registration in the other areas has been low, year after year. The CAPE subjects are done by students at Antigua State College only, and I don’t think we have many registered for Mechanical Engineering this year. Green Engineering numbers have been high, but again it’s small. So, in terms of causing any major disruption in Antigua and Barbuda for those subject areas, I don’t think that will be a major issue, at least not as far as I am aware of based on the numbers.”

The suspension takes effect in September 2024.

However, Smith pointed out that the regional examination body is prepared to make exemptions for territories that still wish to register students for these subjects.

“The territory or territories must bear the full economic costs for the assessment, production, and delivery of those examinations, and of course, students would pay directly for the examination fees. Additionally, CXC is demanding that there should be a minimum enrollment that must be met by the territories,” he explained.

In response to the situation, education authorities in Jamaica are urging representatives from CXC and the Ministry of Education to respond with a clear plan.

They want alternative subjects to be offered, measures to mitigate the impact on affected students and teachers, and clarification on the emphasis on STEM subjects if these subjects are removed from the systems and offerings.

They are also demanding an explanation for the impact on the transformation of education initiatives, outlining the effects on Jamaica’s overall developmental goals, and ensuring and guaranteeing secure tenure for teachers in these subject areas.