Petrina Francis, Education Reporter
THE JAMAICA Teachers' Association (JTA) has lauded the Caribbean Secondary Examinations Council (CSEC) for introducing the new competency based examination for secondary school students.
The new examination, which is to take effect in 2007, is a means of certifying secondary school students by equipping them with competencies in at least five subject areas.
"We are pleased that CSEC has the confidence to launch this new initiative and we are in full support of the principles outlined in the competency based examinations," said Ruel Reid, president of the JTA.
"We agree that it is a more appropriate examination for all high school students. It is the type of exit examination that all high school students should be exposed to," said the JTA head.
Meanwhile, the CSEC has decided to discontinue with the Basic Proficiency examinations with the exception of Mathematics, English Language and Social Studies.
NOT SATISFYING
Mr. Reid said his organisation welcomes the decision because the Basic Proficiency Examination was not satisfying the intention and people saw it as an inferior examination.
"They (CSEC) have conceded that the structure of the Basic (examination) was flawed because it was far too academic and a replica of the General Proficiency examination," he said.
