CXC reverses decision to discontinue some technical subjects

By Nakinskie Robinson   

 

The Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) has announced the continuation of four technical subjects amid public furore over reports that the offerings would be suspended.

 

Registrar and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Wayne Wesley made the announcement during a press conference Tuesday afternoon.

 

CXC has been facing criticisms from education stakeholders over its decision to discontinue certifications for Green Engineering, Agricultural Science (double award), Mechanical Engineering and Electrical and Electronic Engineering, due to low take up.

 

It was revealed that there was no student enrolment across six member states, within the last five years, for Mechanical Engineering Technology alone.

 

Dr. Wesley also announced the addition of 12 new generation technology and science programmes.

 

"Some are not yet at the desired demand. Governments will work with CXC in a partnership in building demand for these new programmes to enable their cost viability," he said.

 

The CXC Registrar said Tuesday's deliberations with the ministers of education "reinforce the need for a collective regional marketing thrust to promote the priority subject areas in STEM or STEAM education and climate smart agriculture, which are considered critical for the economic growth and sustainable development of the region."

  

The new courses will be offered at the CAPE level and will include Entrepreneurship, Agricultural Science, Tourism, Performing Arts, Animation and Game Design and Financial Services, among others.

 

Dr. Wesley said more resources will be pumped into the delivery of the courses regionally to ensure teachers and lab resources are available and the subjects are marketed to secure the interest of students. 

 

"The governments of the region would have articulated a plan to drive an economy that is based on climate change resilience, agricultural food security, what we are prone to in the region for disasters. And so with that commitment from government coupled with marketing of those subjects to students should drive greater demand," he asserted.