by Omesha Spence 27.MAR.09

There are new developments occurring within the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) as it marks its 30th anniversary.

This announcement was made by CXC Registrar Dr. Didacus Jules as he delivered remarks at the CSEC (Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate) Art Exhibition on Monday, 23 March, 2009, at the Methodist Church Hall in Kingstown.{{more}}

Dr. Jules, who remarked on the challenges of the global economic recession, stated that the CXC is in the process of developing a new structure. This new “visionary” structure, he added, would cater to the new generation of students and look ahead to the future. A future, he says, is very different to the one expected, as it would most likely be influenced by the current economic downturn. “It has to look ahead. It has to make condition for bumps in the future,” he said of the new CXC structure.

One of the new features includes a revamped CXC website (http://www.cxc.org) in which galleries of students’ Visual artwork will be showcased and made accessible to the public. This part of the site, he added, will also be set up as an Internet purchasing website much like the E-bay website where persons wishing to own items can place bids to purchase the items. If the art pieces are sold, the creator of the piece will receive the money. However, Dr. Jules assured art students and teachers that the initiative isn’t just about making money. “It is about demonstrating to you students that art is a very viable occupation,” he said. Artwork produced by students has also been made into greeting cards, which will be produced by a well-known card company.

Dr Jules also commented on the outstanding quality of the art pieces portrayed at the exhibition, and encouraged the audience of students, teachers and education officials to use their educational skills as a tool for competition. “As the world becomes more uncertain … at the end of the day, what we fall back on is our global intellectual competitiveness,” he said. He added that CXC and CSEC are looking at ways to see that more critical thinking is involved in subject areas.

The CXC celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. The CXC, which began in 1979, initially offered examinations in English, Geography, History, Mathematics and Integrated Science. The 30th Anniversary celebration includes activities such as the honoring of the 1979 CXC class, including staff of the Council at the time, markers and members of the five subject panels. They will be honored at two ceremonies, one to take place in Barbados and the other in Jamaica. The CXC’s magazine will also feature thirty persons who have contributed to the success of CXC over the 30-year period. (OS)