Education Ministry to Meet with Caribbean Examinations Council June 4

The Ministry of Education and Youth will be meeting with the Caribbean Examination, Council (CXC) on June 4 at 10:00 a.m.

This follows the Council’s recent decision to discontinue four subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) levels, due to low enrolment.

The subjects are Agricultural Science – Double Award; Industrial Technology –Mechanical; Green Engineering, as well as Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technology.

Addressing Wednesday’s (May 29) post-Cabinet press briefing, held at Jamaica House, Portfolio Minister, Hon. Fayval Williams, said CXC was established to serve member countries, and as such, a decision ought rightfully to be discussed with Education Ministers, prior to public announcements.

Mrs. Williams said other regional Education Ministers will be part of the meeting with CXC, which will address concerns with respect to the discontinuance or suspension policy.

“CXC also indicated that it would like to address critical matters relating to the administration and the release of results for the May/June 2024 exams,” she said.

Mrs. Williams pointed out that across the Caribbean, other colleague Education Ministers are very concerned about this discontinuance decision.

“As a body, we have decided to take the matter to the Council for Human and Social Development, a committee of CARICOM, which seeks to promote and develop coordinated policies and programmes,” she advised.

Mrs. Williams noted that the Ministry understands the value of these subjects, especially in light of the recent declaration of Jamaica as a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) island by Prime Minister, the Most. Hon. Andrew Holness.

At a meeting held with principals on May 21, Mrs. Williams said it was unanimously agreed that the subjects should be continued and the Ministry will engage further with principals to find out what support they will need.

She added that the Ministry will increase awareness of these subject areas under the STEM and TVET agendas and the value of the subjects to Jamaica’s national development.

The Ministry will also seek to increase opportunities for career counselling for students to aid in their understanding of the potential for job opportunities in these areas.

“I want to assure Jamaicans that the Ministry of Education and Youth is fully in support of the continuance of these four subjects. We will report back to our principals and the wider Jamaican community of the meeting with CXC on June 4 and the meeting with the region’s Education Ministers,” Mrs. Williams advised.