Coordinator of the Caribbean Coalition for Education Redress, Paula-Ann Moore, is calling for a complete overhaul of the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC). She told CNC3’s The Morning Brew that CXC is not student-centred enough, and its governance and operational structures should be reviewed.
Should CXC be mothballed?
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53 responses to “Should CXC be mothballed?”
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https://barbadostoday.bb/2025/01/09/parents-group-demands-cxc-reform-after-exam-debacle/
David,
Two things
1. With so many CXC articles, the issues become fragmented and it becomes difficult to keep track of what is being said
2. When you search for CXC, several post comes up, but I have no idea which is the most recent. I select the first, but I do not think this same article that came up first in my search (yesterday).
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Yesterday, I started to write a note with a sideswipe at William and his love for things Caricom, Federation ….but I held off.
Seriously, the only thing that will fix CXC is if governments make an aggressive move to shut it down. Note that I am not asking for it to be shut down -
@Theo will research it but the easy way is to bookmark the blog page if you plan to revert to it at a later time.
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We now have the MoE trying to shield CXC.
Which one do you like best … the serial killer or the mass murderer‘NOT OUR FAULT’
CXC DISTANCES ITSELF FROM EXAM DELAYS IN BARBADOS; MINISTRY TAKES FULL RESPONSIBILITY
By Shanna Moore
The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) has deflected responsibility for disruptions in exams in Barbados this week, placing the onus squarely on the Ministry of Education.
Students faced hours-long delays due to furniture shortages at examination centres and last-minute changes to the Spanish oral exam schedule, prompting an apology from the ministry and a call for reform from a parent advocate.
Responding to inquiries from Barbados TODAY about the postponements, the CXC directed attention to a statement issued by the ministry, noting their distinct roles in exam administration.
“In any examination sitting, disruptions may occur,” CXC stated.
“CXC understands that any uncertainty around examinations can cause anxiety, and we wish to assure candidates that we work with Ministries of Education to ensure that no candidate is disadvantaged.”
Referring further queries to the ministry, the regional exams body said: “The Ministry of Education in each territory manages the administration of examinations at local examination centres. As it relates to the matter highlighted, I refer you to the statement shared by the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training.”
In its statement, the ministry expressed regret over the debacle and took full accountability for the failures that caused the delays.
“While there were some matters that were beyond our control, the ultimate responsibility is ours to ensure that the examination centre is fit for purpose, which includes the adequate and timely provision of suitable tables and chairs for use by candidates when sitting their examinations,” the statement read.
“We have investigated the matter and received a report on the occurrences leading up to, and on the day of the examination. This report has informed the enhanced steps we have since implemented to ensure that there is no repeat of this or similar situations.”
The ministry also sought to reassure students: “We wish to take this opportunity to assure candidates that your success in these exams is of paramount importance to the ministry. You deserve an atmosphere that is conducive to this, and you have our assurance that you will have it.”
But a parent advocate and frequent critic of both the education ministry and the CXC said the apology and assurances were insufficient.
While welcoming the acknowledgement of responsibility, Paula Ann Moore described the incident as avoidable and reiterated calls for immediate corrective measures.
“While we appreciate this refreshing change in communications, we reiterate that exam administration is basic and the bread and butter of the Ministry of Education,” said the spokeswoman for the Group of Concerned Parents of Barbados.
“This debacle should never have happened in the first place. Exams, especially Maths exams, are stressful enough for most students, and officials have a duty of care and should never be visiting shameful, avoidable stress and trauma on the very children whose best interests they have a duty to protect.”
Moore also called on the Ministry of Education to push for grading accommodations for the affected students: “The apology, while appreciated, is insufficient. We call on the Ministry to make official representation to CXC to advocate for grading accommodations for the students who took both exams, in an effort to fairly address the exam stress hardship endured by the students and occasioned by this latest avoidable debacle.”
In addition to the delays and reshuffling, the advocate noted parental reports of an alleged error in the CXC Mathematics exam paper.
She further urged Prime Minister Mottley, as chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), to lead efforts to overhaul CXC’s exam administration processes.
Moore said: “We again call on Prime Minister Mottley… to ensure that the fundamental review and reform of the administration of CXC exams, including effective stakeholder engagement and accountability, nationally and regionally, within CARICOM, the respective Ministries of Education, within CXC, and the CARICOM oversight mechanisms, which we have called for, for five years, are at long last finally executed.”
shannamoore@barbadostoday.bb
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