The Caribbean Examination Council, CXC, is forging ahead with a July date for holding of secondary level exams despite protestations from Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.
CXC Registrar, Dr. Wayne Wesley told a digital media briefing that the region as a whole has decided on the date.
July or bust, CXC Registrar, Dr. Wayne Wesley, says the Council will be holding its examinations in that month as the region continues to grapple with COVID-19.
This remains the date of one of the most critical examinations at the secondary level.
Just days prior, Minister with responsibility for Education, Karl Samuda, made it clear that Jamaica was unable to endorse that date.
Dr. Wesley was asked if that position has changed, but he was unwilling to answer.
He was further asked if other arrangements would be made for those countries unable to meet that date.
Dr. Wesley was referencing the decision taken at CARICOM’s Council for Human and Social Development, COHSOD.
It’s understood that at a CHOSOD meeting last Friday, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, the two largest territories doing CXC, both signaled their inability to meet the July date.
However, a two-thirds majority of regional territories passed the motion, despite Jamaica having more candidates sitting the exam than all other countries combined.
Dr. Wesley was unable to comment on the vote but described the decision as a consensus.
However, Dr. Wesley says standard procedures would resume in January.
But, he says, only a limited number of exams would be held on that date.
It’s understood discussions are still on going between the Jamaican government and CXC with cabinet to arrive at a final position soon.
