The Caribbean Examinations Council: Responding to the Educational Needs of the Region
Date
1999
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Abstract
This monograph examines the considerations leading to the establishment of the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) in 1972. It notes that the CXC was established as a fully managed Caribbean operation, and that one of its principal purposes was to replace the examinations of overseas boards with indigenous secondary school examinations of more relevance to the needs of the Caribbean. It is explained that the three proficiencies under the Council offers the Caribbean Secondary Examinations Certificate (CSEC) cater for a larger population of candidates than the General Certificate of Education (GCE) O’ Level examinations it replaced. In addition, the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) of the Council provides educational opportunities for a cross-section of the post-secondary population than the traditional A’ Levels. The monograph examines the various modes of assessment used by CXC, including internal assessment, which is an important aspect of the Council’s examinations. It points to the close working relationship between the Council and teachers, and the extent of their involvement in various aspects of the Council’ examinations. The monograph concludes that the Council has contributed considerably to the process of regional integration and the development of the identity of the Caribbean citizen. It hypothesizes that, in the coming decade, the Councils examination services will expand rapidly within and beyond the English-Speaking Caribbean.
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Examination boards