By Clive Bacchus
St Kitts and Nevis (WINN): Chairman of the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) Council Sir Hilary Beckles says a review of this year’s controversial CXC exams proved they were conducted in a professional manner but there is an urgent need for an evaluation of the current ecosystem.
Speaking at a virtual press briefing on Sunday (October 18), Sir Hilary said the draft report of the Independent Review Team would be presented to regional ministers of government today Monday (October 19).
“The meetings … will enable the review team to have the opportunity to finalize its report which we are mindful to release to the public on Tuesday following the meeting of the management with the ministers of education. The management of CXC will then proceed to roll out a public engagement strategy to begin the healing process, ” Beckles said.
Officials introduced new measures to cope with the fallout of the Coronavirus pandemic including a 100 percent moderation of School-Based Assessments(SBA’s).
The published results sparked consternation and protest action in some CARICOM countries.
Some accused CXC officials of presenting flawed grades prompting the establishment of the Independent Review Team that submitted its report on Friday (October 16).
The CXC Chair conceded that the handling of some issues by CXC officials contributed to the misunderstanding and anxiety.
The Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) reports more than 2000 requests for reviews of CAPE results and more than 2500 requests for reviews of CSEC results. The cost of review has been cut by half to US$15 each and if successful a refund would be made. The Council also said it would continue moderating 100 percent of the Student-Based Assessments (SBA’s) next year.
