New examination system for the academic year 2007/2008

by Vanesta Murphy 22.JUN.07

The Ministry of Education along with the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) have launched a new examination for the 2007/2008 academic year, and St Vincent and the Grenadines is set to be one of the first countries to spearhead the new system.{{more}}

Speaking at the project launching on June 4, Minister of Education Girlyn Miguel stressed that “Our young people are special and must be well trained, our country’s future depends on what we do with them and for them now!”

It was found that while there were many options for fourth form students going on to do the General Proficiency Exam, there needed to be certification at a lower level. When universal access to secondary education was granted many initiatives were necessary. No longer could basic education be considered seven years at primary level, but should incorporate three years at secondary level. The Ministry of Education had to modernise the curriculum from kindergarten to third form in order to address the new policy, and to give students several different outcomes at different levels of the system.

Susan Dougan, Chief Education Officer in the Ministry of Education, said that the introduction of regional initiatives would aid in the freedom of movement throughout the Caribbean. The CCSLC was requested by the Ministry of Education in St. Vincent and the Grenadines to capture the diverse needs of the students in the country at a lower secondary level.

Dougan also stated that it would provide a second opportunity for out of school young people to be engaged in educational activity and receive certification. It will also provide an opportunity for the adult population who are involved in adult literacy to obtain certification. “We must make our citizens more competitive,” said Dougan.

Minister Miguel said the program was based on a core of knowledge, skills, attitudes and values that all secondary school leavers should have. It differs from general and basic proficiency in that it focuses on mastery of competencies. She thanked the CXC for developing the program, which is intended to meet the needs of students with a wide range of abilities. Miguel also said that she expects all secondary schools to begin to prepare their students for this exam. The third form students will be awarded a certificate that will have currency both nationally and regionally.

Senior Assistant Registrar Dr Yolande Wright said that the CXC was happy to develop a partnership with the Ministry of Education. Dr Wright stressed that a complete survey of the curriculum was done across the region and that a continuous assessment of students must be done to ensure that they demonstrate mastery of th e requisite skills and competencies. Dr Wright also mentioned that CXC will be used to provide training for teachers and a new grading system will be used to measure competence and mastery by students. Students will be allowed three years to complete the courses required for certification. These will include Mathematics, English Language and three other subjects.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Laura Browne expressed gratitude for the cooperation that they have had from CXC in bringing this program forward. She went on to say that this examination will fill a void that has been in our system for a number of years. “No longer is it adequate for any one country to be looking at certification as it relates to the individual country,” Browne stated, “And we must ensure that we are singing from the same song sheet that our partners in the Caribbean are”.

CXC representative Maureen Grazette also attended the press conference.