Artificial intelligence to transform Caribbean education, says CXC boss

The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) is set to undergo a radical transformation through artificial intelligence, marking “the beginning of the end of CXC as we know it”, the regional exam board’s chief executive announced Wednesday.

Speaking at the 4th Ministerial Summit, Registrar and CEO Dr Wayne Wesley unveiled an ambitious five-year strategic plan to reshape the examination body into a “digitally transformed enterprise providing quality, relevant educational services.”

The summit, themed Artificial Intelligence and Technological Innovations in Shaping Caribbean Education, heard how AI technology would be leveraged to create personalised learning experiences and address declining academic performance, particularly in mathematics.

“AI has come to really change the mundane and allow us to do a lot more things efficiently,” Dr Wesley told delegates, suggesting that traditional teaching methods were failing to engage today’s students.

Drawing an analogy with the popular mobile game Candy Crush, Dr Wesley challenged educators: “Can you imagine students just wanting to crush that level of mathematics, crush that next level of algebra, crush that next level of matrix?”

The top CXC official stressed the importance of collaboration among stakeholders on the new strategic plan: “Our mandate to facilitate the development of the region’s human capital must be done in partnership and collaboration to generate the level of economic competitiveness we need for the region.”

He also expressed concern over the mental health of students, acknowledging that examination pressures affect both learners and their families.

“We are deeply concerned about the mental challenges being experienced and the mental health of our students and candidates for examinations and we are committed to creating an environment that relieves that stress on our students,” he said, reinforcing the need for a supportive and engaging learning environment, which he believes, will be fostered with the integration of relatable social applications.

In envisioning a future driven by technology, Dr Wesley emphasised the potential of AI to create personalised and dynamic learning experiences.

“AI provides us with that ability to provide that dynamic interaction that is adjusting to their level of interest, level of difficulty,” he explained, urging educators to embrace innovative tools that foster active participation from students.

He boldly declared: “I want to assure you that this summit is the beginning of the end of CXC as we know it. Because we are transforming for greater regional impact.”

shannamoore@barbadostoday.bb