Petrina Francis, Education Reporter
Professor Kenneth Hall (right), chairman of the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC), addressing journalists yesterday during a press conference held at the Hilton Kingston Hotel, New Kingston. Looking on are Maria Jones (centre), Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture, and Dr. Lucy Steward, registrar for CXC. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer
EDUCATION MINISTRIES in the Caribbean region are examining the possibility of introducing the level one programme of the national training agencies into secondary schools, says Dr. Lucy Steward, registrar for the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC).
Dr. Steward said yesterday that, in each Caribbean country, there is or is being established a national training agency.
In Jamaica's case there is the HEART Trust /National Training Agency, which develops a number of level one and two courses for students outside of the secondary school.
GETTING INTO SCHOOL SYSTEM
"Now that it is getting in the school system, Caribbean Association for National Training Agencies (CANTA) is discussing with CXC the possibility of CXC undertaking the assessment of these vocational and technical courses in the school, to award a Caribbean vocational qualification," she said.
Dr. Steward was speaking at a press briefing following CXC's 36th annual meeting, held at the Hilton Kingston Hotel, New Kingston.
She said that, if CXC becomes involved in the assessment process, then the programme would no longer remain national, but would become a regional award. She added that this would facilitate movement across the region.
Meanwhile CXC chairman, Professor Kenneth Hall, said The University of the West Indies (UWI) will be discussing with the CXC, the possibility of accepting the CXC's Associate Degree as one method of matriculating to the university.
The associate degree was introduced last year by the CXC. Students who gain grades one to five passes in seven units of the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE), including the one-unit core subjects Caribbean studies and communication studies automatically qualify for an associate degree.
Ruel Reid, president of the Jamaica Teachers' Association, had criticised the CXC for bypassing the accreditation process. But Professor Hall said his organisation would also be discussing the possibility of getting the programme accredited by the University Council of Jamaica (UCJ).
ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION NEXT YEAR
The CXC chairman also announced yesterday that, by 2006, all CXC participating territories should be able to register students electronically by way of an 'examination processing system' to ensure efficient processing of candidates' entry and performance data. The school-based assessment will also be captured electronically.
Dr. Steward said her organisation has been providing training for local staff in order for them to carry out the electronic registration.
During the meeting, Professor Hall and Osmon Petty were re-elected as chairman and deputy chairman of the council respectively.
