Local NewsNews Jamaica: Principals reject new CXC exam proposals by Barbados Today 20/04/2020 written by Barbados Today Updated by Sandy Deane 20/04/2020 2 min read A+A- Reset Share FacebookTwitterLinkedinWhatsappEmail 443 SOURCE: JAMAICA GLEANER: The proposal by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) to use School-Based Assessment (SBA) and multiple-choice examination, possibly to be administered online, as its 2020 examination has not found favour with the Jamaica Association of Principals of Secondary Schools (JAPPS). Linvern Wright, the president of JAPPS, thinks the proposal would shortchange students, arguing that the better option would be to have the students sit actual examination papers in the traditional way. “If the online modality is used, schools and students will not be included. My suggestion is that if they should be able to test, then students should have the option to sit actual papers in the normal way, bearing in mind recommendations for social distancing,” he said. Wright, who is slated to become the new principal of his alma mater, William Knibb Memorial High School, on May 1, said it is the consensus of the various groups in the educational sector that the proposed approach is not suitable. ‘EQUIP THE SCHOOLS’ “Any modality used should not disenfranchise any of the usually 50,000 students who sit the annual exam,” said Wright. “I am calling on the Government to ensure that schools are equipped if the Ministry of Education endorses the CXC proposal.” “There is general consensus among JAPSS, the Jamaica Teachers’ Association and the Association of Principals and Vice Principals that the proposal from CXC cannot work, especially in its online stipulations, as many schools do not have sufficient infrastructure to allow for all students to have a fair chance at participating in the proposed sitting,” added Wright. You Might Be Interested In Crystal Beckles-Holder, 2nd runner up in regional competition GUYANA: Body of child found after gold mine collapses Barbadians asked to help with return tickets for Haitians In regard to the suggestion that grade-11 students should be given an extra year in school to compensate for the COVID-19 dislocation, Wright said that would be difficult. “It is a difficult, if not impossible, proposal,” declared Wright. “Other feasible suggestions are needed, but we should not be premature in making suggestions that are logistic nightmares before we know how this COVID-19 pans out. “If there are many more infections, schools may not be able to open for a long time. This would mean that there should be discussions on a strategic plan for effective online teaching,” Wright added. Barbados Today Stay informed and engaged with our digital news platform. The leading online multimedia news resource in Barbados for news you can trust. You may also like Regional businesses urged to make most of EPA 17/04/2025 Teens remanded in relation to Shawnathon Chase shooting death 17/04/2025 Port auction attracts 250; all seven vehicle sold in under an hour 17/04/2025