CXC papers for 9 subjects stolen from fireproof cabinets in Jamaica

…Guyanese students urged to still prepare for examsAbout one month after there was a leak of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Mathematics examination Paper in Jamaica, the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) is now probing the theft of exam papers for nine subjects in the same country.
Despite this recent incident, however, the Education Ministry in Guyana is imploring CSEC students here to continue to prepare for the exams.
“The Ministry of Education urges all students writing CSEC to continue preparing for their examinations,” a brief statement on the MoE Facebook page has said.
According to the Ministry, students will be informed of all updates on this matter.
Meanwhile, CXC, in a statement on Wednesday, said the examination papers for several subjects were stolen from secured fireproof cabinets in Jamaica.
“On Wednesday, 14 June 2023, the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) was informed that fireproof cabinets containing examination papers for nine subjects scheduled to be administered this week were stolen from a school in Jamaica.
“This is of grave concern to CXC®, and the matter is being investigated by the Ministry of National Security and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). CXC is in constant contact with the Ministry of Education and Youth in Jamaica, and an update was shared with the Ministries of Education from across the region at a meeting earlier [Wednesday],” the regional body noted.
According to the Council, it is determining the course of action, and will communicate this with the Ministries of Education across the Caribbean.
On May 17, reports swept the region of the CSEC Mathematics Paper Two being leaked on the morning of the exam; and, days later, CXC confirmed that the leak originated from an exam centre in Jamaica.
At the time, CXC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Wayne Wesley said, “The security measures which CXC put in place has led to us locating the country as Jamaica, and [an] examination centre [there] where the leak originated.”
Dr Wesley added that CXC is working collectively with the Education Ministry in Jamaica to determine the next steps in regard to the specific source of the leak. He clarified that Police authorities have not yet been involved, but that is being considered.
“As a result of the breach and the compromise of the examination, as well as consideration for the mental health and wellbeing of our candidates, timely release of results, and matriculation requirements, CXC has determined that for this examination, the modified approach will be used to award fair and valid grades.”
This modified approach entails assessment of the School Based Assessment (SBA) or Paper 03 for private candidates, and Paper One, disregarding the Paper Two portion of this Math examination.
While the CXC CEO was unable to identify which specific countries the leak extended to, he explained that with the use of technology and common chat groups that involve students from multiple countries, it is likely that a number of countries may have gained access to the paper prior to the exam.
During that press briefing, Dr Wesley had also assured that CXC is continuing to enhance its security measures to ensure that no future breaches occur, but stated that the integrity of the individuals entrusted with these exam papers and enforcing the rules cannot be fully controlled. (G8)