Jamaica to decide whether to continue with subjects cut from CXC's offerings
Published:Tuesday | May 21, 2024 | 3:22 PM
The Overseas Examination Commission (OEC) says while the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) will discontinue certification for certain subjects, no decision has been taken to remove them from the curriculum of Jamaican secondary schools.
The certifications to be discontinued are agricultural science (double award) and mechanical engineering at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination levels; as well as, electrical and electronic engineering, and technology and green Engineering.
In a media release on Tuesday afternoon, the OEC admitted that the information on the discontinuation was prematurely released from its office.
It said correspondence from CXC's office was directed to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Youth, Dr Kasan Troupe and was copied to the OEC for information purposes.
It said the ministry's team was stymied by the untimely release of the information and had not yet held consultative meetings with key stakeholders, such as principals.
"The OEC regrets this impetuosity and informs that though CXC has provided an advisory on the discontinuation of the aforementioned subjects, a decision to remove them from the Jamaican secondary schools' curriculum has not yet been taken," the exam commission said.
The OEC disclosed that CXC has advised that territories or groups of territories across the Caribbean region may decide to maintain the subjects as a part of the suite of certification options for terminal exams, but such territories will be allowed to do so under certain conditions.
The Ministry of Education and Youth will reportedly be meeting with stakeholders ahead of the new academic year and will "ensure a consensus in the best interest of the nation's youth".
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