CXC reverses decision to suspend TVET subjects from syllabus

… “new-generation” tech & science to be integrated into regional school system

The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) on Tuesday announced that it will not proceed with the suspension of four examination subjects following a wave of public concern and discussions with regional education ministers.
The subjects initially considered for suspension were agricultural science (double award), mechanical engineering technology (CSEC), green engineering, and electrical and electronic engineering (CAPE).

The decision to revisit the potential suspension came after a meeting with Education Ministers from the 16 participating countries, including Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Turks and Caicos Islands.
During the meeting, strong objections were raised, particularly by Guyana’s Education Minister Priya Manickchand, who highlighted the critical importance of these subjects to the rapid growth in sectors such as oil and agriculture in Guyana.
Following the engagement with regional education minister on Tuesday, CXC held a virtual press conference to announce its decision.
CXC Registrar and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Wayne Wesley, disclosed that the body’s previous decision to suspend the four subjects was as a result of a performance study, which presented figures signaling a downward trend in registration numbers for exams.

According to the study, which he said spans the years 2017 to 2023, roughly 4500 students across the Caribbean register for the electrical and electronic engineering (CAPE) examination annually and below 2400 register for Mechanical Engineering Technology (CSEC). Registration for the remaining subjects is below these numbers.
Additionally, it was revealed that half of the region’s territories have not registered students for any of the subjects in the last five years.
Among the reasons for this trend is the access to updated technical equipment, lack of practical experience for students due to the inadequacy of the facilities, lack of qualified teaching professionals to administer the broad syllabus and lack of human capital to provide support for areas such as welding, plumbing and electrical installation.
It was noted at the time, that if the subjects were removed, students taking the 2024 and 2025 examinations would be affected.
However, the CXC registrar said given the importance of the subjects, regional education ministers have recommitted to investments in education to ensure those subjects are better supported.
He added that the body is committed to maintaining a greater line of communication with the region to prevent the reoccurrence of premature announcements.
“The governments of the region would have articulated a plan to drive an economy that is based on climate change resilience, agriculture, food security, as well as our environmental projection given what we are prone to in the region for disasters. And so, with that commitment from governments across the region, coupled with and marketing of those subjects to students should drive greater demand of course within our school system,” Dr Wesley said.

New subjects
Meanwhile, a menu of new generation Science and Technology programmes will be rolled out in the regional school system soon and the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) said it will foster partnerships to build demand for the newly added programmes.
Among the subjects are Entrepreneurship, performing arts, physical education and sport, tourism, animation and game design, logistics and supply chain operations, digital media and financial services. All at the level of CAPE.
“Some are not yet at the desired demand; Governments will work with CXC in a partnership in building demand for these new programmes to enable their cost viability. Accordingly, today’s deliberations with the Ministers of Education reinforce the need for a collective regional marketing thrust to promote the priority subject areas in STEM education and climate smart agriculture, which are considered critical for the economic growth and sustainable development of the region,” the CEO added.

Guyana’s objection
Last week, Guyana’s Education Minister Priya Manickchand, expressed strong opposition to the Caribbean Examinations Council’s (CXC) unofficial decision to remove several technical and vocational subjects from its syllabus.
At the time, Minister Manickchand emphasised that Guyana’s government does not support the removal of these subjects, as they are crucial for the country’s rapid growth, particularly in the oil, gas, and agriculture sectors.
Further, she highlighted that sustainable food investments and skills development are vital for the nation’s future, and dropping these subjects would negatively impact students’ opportunities and the local economy.
Manickchand had made it clear that, were CXC to discontinue these subjects, Guyana would have been forced to find other bodies who could test and certify the subjects. (G1)