CXC probing issue in distribution of CSEC Accounts paper 2

By Nakinskie Robinson    

 

The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) is probing reports of a possible issue in the distribution of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Principles of Accounts Paper 02, at specific centres.

 

In a statement Friday afternoon, CXC said it understands that any uncertainty around examinations can cause anxiety.

 

It said once the investigation is completed, the appropriate action will be taken. 

 

The Council added that it is working to complete the exam process despite several disruptions. 

 

Speaking with Radio Jamaica News on Friday afternoon, CXC Registrar and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Wayne Wesley said any report of breaches that could compromise the integrity and credibility of the external assessment is swiftly investigated and treated with the highest level of urgency.

 

Dr. Wesley also dispelled reports of a possible leak of exam papers.

 

"What we want to assure candidates is that we have been taking every precaution to ensure that our examinations are protected. Wherever there would have been pronouncement elsewhere about the exposure of a paper, we want to assure persons that we would have taken the requisite steps and implemented the requisite protocols to prevent any such occurrence. We are now working assidiously to ensure that we can complete the examination exercise," he said. 

 

In the meantime, Dr. Wesley said the Council is taking into consideration the impact of the recent disruptions during the sitting of exams this week. 

 

"CXC has a standard protocol in place that when students are affected by natural disasters or situations that are totally out of their control, then we begin to see how best to ensure those students are not disenfranchised. And that might be a rescheduled paper, retaking another paper or using existing papers that they have completed to arrive at a particular outcome for those students. And that outcome would always be in the best interest of the student. So yes, we do have a number of procedures and protocols in place that we will execute in these circumstances."  

 

Bomb threats were issued against Kingston College and Campion College in the Corporate Area, as well as Holmwood Technical High School in Manchester.

 

Heavy rains also inundated the Hordley Crossing in St. Thomas which prevented some students from getting to St. Thomas Technical High School to write their exams.