CXC reviewing recent challenges, building flexibility into its processes

The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) is working on a new policy that will more effectively address future school disruptions caused by events similar to the COVID-19
pandemic.

The announcement was made Wednesday by CXC Registrar and Chief Executive Officer Dr Wayne Wesley during a virtual press conference to discuss the administration of the 2022 exams which had been negatively impacted by the pandemic over the past two years.

“We took cognisance of the challenges that now exist in the region. Part of the solution going forward would be to make sure we articulate a policy that allows for the continual assessment and flexibility required in the system,” Dr Wesley said.

He pointed out that there are many components to the delivery of examinations and those will have to be considered when formulating the new policy.

“So yes, consideration is being given to how the decision arrived at for the administration of regional examinations and how we will treat to this situation,” the Registrar told the virtual press conference with journalists from across the region.

Dr Wesley announced that the policy will involve building capacity for digital testing.

“So that in events of this nature, one would be in a position to offer an alternate paper and be in a position to provide comparative examinations in a short window, given the challenges of this region,” he pointed out.

“So the policy is going to look at examination structure, the process used for the delivery of examinations and how safely you will be able to respond to the glaring needs across the region at the same time,” the council’s CEO stated.

He said that if and when it becomes necessary to shift dates of exams in the future, that decision will be taken as a regional collective by the various stakeholders.

“We can’t say definitely February or March because the circumstance might just happen far later. I think what we need to have is an active review of the situation and a policy that allows us to make the adjustment within that particular period,” he said.

“One of the challenges that we have to be mindful of is that the existential reality across the region is different for many member-states and what might be suitable at this time, at a later date it might not be suitable and may require a reconsideration of what we do,” the Registrar noted.

He said CXC therefore aims to be more flexible with regards to the scheduling of examinations.

“Once we build sufficient capacity and be able to offer multiple versions of an examination, the issue of rescheduling might become less of a challenge within that context. Hence we are pushing forward for the electronic testing to be adopted more widely across the region because that provides a solution that would help us in times like these,” Dr Wesley assured.

He also announced that the council’s new approach would also respond effectively to situations where a student may contract the COVID virus close to, or during exams period.

He stressed that the local registrars are allowed to work with their respective national protocols to ensure the safety of all students and invigilators. (EJ)