Reports surfaced last week that the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) is considering the suspension of four subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Exam (CAPE) levels. The subjects in question are Agricultural Science (the double major is up for discontinuation, students still have access to the general paper in Agricultural Science), Mechanical Engineering Technology, Green Engineering, and Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
The suspension of these subjects is expected to take effect in September 2025. Dr. Wayne Wesley, the CEO of CXC, has stated that this decision was made due to a decrease in student engagement. There have been reactions from several regional educational factions, however, reportedly schools in the region can still request these suspended subjects, albeit at an additional cost.
In response to concerns raised by stakeholders regarding the premature release of correspondence to Ministries of Education regarding syllabus suspension, CXC, via a statement today, has acknowledged the situation and the anxiety it may have caused, and the organization has scheduled a meeting with the Ministers of Education and plans to address these concerns and provide a comprehensive update to the public through a future press release.
According to today’s statement, CXC seeks to reassure stakeholders that all necessary actions will be taken in the best interest of all involved parties.
The prevailing attitude at CXC seems to be that if it is not working, get rid of it. Surely, the brilliant minds at the Caribbean Examination Counsel, should know that these subjects, that they are proposing to trash, plays a catalytic role to the future development of the region.
While it is true that technical education is relatively more expensive than other subjects offered by CXC. It is also true that you get what you pay for. If sufficient investment is not made in the materials, equipment and personnel to organize and run these programs, the results are bound to be as is being currently experienced. ” If you think education is expensive, try ignorance”.
The better course and the way forward is to work in lock step with education boards throughout the region, to address current deficiencies. With hard work, and a lot of patience, coupled with adequate resources, I have know doubt that our scientists and engineers would be abundant and bright.