Article by Social Share
Kingston – Minister of Education Fayval Williams has disclosed that her ministry has been in dialogue with the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) and has conducted consultations with key local stakeholders on modifications to the administration of the 2021 examinations.
The consultations were held against the background of issues surrounding the examinations last year, including inconsistencies and discrepancies in the exam grades which has triggered legal action in some Caribbean islands.
Five options have been presented.
“The options were evaluated as valid and reliable and should not affect the credibility of the grade attained by the students. It will, however, require more work on the part of CXC for the preparation and administration of the exams,” Williams said.
Consultations held with local stakeholders on CXC s options for 2021 exams jamaicaobserver.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from jamaicaobserver.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Union wants answers from CXC
Mary-Anne Redman, President of the Barbados Secondary School Teachers Union (BSTU). (Photo Credit: barbadosadvocate.com)
Concern has been expressed about reports that there are students who have not requested reviews, but have received improved grade amendments while students who have made review requests are receiving grades that demonstrate no change at all in their original CXC grades.
The concern was made known by President of the Barbados Secondary School Teachers Union (BSTU) Mary-Anne Redman last week Thursday, while speaking during an online press conference held by the Caribbean Coalition for CXC 2020.
Redman also said teachers want to know who reviewed the School Based Assessments (SBAs), and whether they are the same teachers who originally corrected them.
Despite a water shortage limiting face-to-face classes to just three days last week at Oracabessa High School in St Mary, principal Natrecia Lothian has labelled the first week a success.
A problematic pump at the National Water Commission facility that serves Oracabessa left the community without water for over a week, pushing the start of face-to-face classes back to Wednesday.
Oracabessa High is one of 125 schools that have been allowed to resume face-to-face classes following a two-week pilot programme by the Ministry of Education in November.
Classes at the school are geared only at grade-11 students, with those having to complete SBAs and do practical subjects being the main beneficiaries.