CXC defends validity of new CTEC exam

The Caribbean Examination Council has sought to clarify concerns that its new Caribbean Targeted Education Certificate, CTEC qualification could lower academic standards and disadvantage candidates. 

 

It comes amid public concerns about the structure, integrity and competitiveness of the new assessment model. 

 

In 2024 the region's overall success in Mathematics was 36 per cent. That jumped a fraction, to 39 per cent last year and continued marginally climbing to 42 per cent for 2026. 

 

While the Caribbean's performance continues to improve, numeracy figures remain a major concern for officials. 

 

CTEC is one part of CXC's response to that challenge and will later be expanded to other subject areas including English A. 

 

It's why CXC has sought to make it clear that the shift towards a more flexible modular learning should not be mistaken for a lowering of the bar.  

 

Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Wayne Wesley says the CSEC Mathematics modules are derived from the same syllabus, assess the same prescribed learning outcomes and are governed by the same quality assurance principles.

 

He says what differs is not the standard but the pathway through which candidates progress.

 

Concerns have also been raised about the danger of an "all-or-nothing" assessment experience, particularly in Mathematics.

 

In response Dr Wesley says CTEC allows learners to build achievement progressively since students could have mastered substantial portions of the syllabus but leave the examination room without any formal recognition,

 

As for questions about the importance of labour market signalling and public understanding, the CXC Registrar says the examinations body will continue to strengthen stakeholder guidance, transcript design, employer communications and certification documentation.

 

That, according to him, will ensure there is no ambiguity regarding what each credential represents.

 

Another concern that has been raised relates to knowledge retention, but CXC contends that, as students progress, they are naturally reinforcing earlier knowledge which helps guard against the "pass and forget" challenge. It says it will continue to monitor learner progression and use evidence to refine support mechanisms where necessary.

 

It adds that public debate about the future of Caribbean education is a good thing and it it remains committed to transparency, evidence-based decision-making, stakeholder engagement and the maintenance of academic standards.