Monday, January 13, 2014 - Students across the Territory are gearing up to sit the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations and registration numbers are at an all time high.
At the close of registration on January 10, a total of 262 students representing 100 percent of this year’s graduating classes of the Elmore Stoutt, Bregado Flax, Claudia Creque, St. George’s Secondary and the B.V.I. Seventh-day Adventist Schools were registered.
Of that number, 55 students registered for nine or more subjects which included five students who will aim to sit 11 subjects, the highest number recorded for this school year. Thirty students will be sitting less than five subjects as public comprehensive schools cater for students at varying levels and abilities.
In addition to the fifth form students, 14 fourth form students have registered to sit the CXC CSEC examinations and 26 individuals have registered to sit the exams privately.
A new policy implemented by the Ministry of Education and Culture called for the mandatory sitting of the CXC CSEC examinations by fifth form students beginning this school year. It also called for a minimum of five CXC subject passes to include Mathematics and English to qualify for a National Scholarship.
In a congratulatory note to the Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn, CXC Registrar and CEO Dr. Didacus Jules applauded the policy instituted by the Ministry and exhorted students to make full use of the opportunities being afforded to them. “CXC is committed to working closely with the Government, schools and parents of the Virgin Islands to ensure that we build on the legacy of achievement and that every student is provided with the support required to succeed.
Dr. Jules continued, “For national development to be sustainable, equity of opportunity must be a cornerstone of educational policy. In the current competitive global arena, educational success is no longer the accomplishment of the top flyers but the caliber of the entire cohort.” The CXC Registrar also reminded parents and students of the FREE CXC online learning portal Notesmaster (www.caribbean.notesmaster.com) and urged that it be used to ensure comprehensive mastery of the syllabus in the subjects being offered.
Subjects to be taken by Virgin Islands students include but are not limited to Biology, Building Technology, Caribbean History, Social Studies, Chemistry, Clothing and Textiles, Electrical and Electronic Technology, English, Mathematics, Food and Nutrition, Agricultural Science and Physical Education.
This year’s exams will take place from April to June after the local Secondary School Leaving examinations in March. The cost for the CXC CSEC exams will be covered by Government for all students registered through a public school.
As part of the regionwide celebrations of the 40th Anniversary of CXC last November, the Ministry of Education and Culture held an interactive panel discussion with fifth form students at the Elmore Stoutt High School. Students learned more of the significance and benefits of the CSEC exams and were able to receive answers and clear guidance from panelists on areas of specific concern.
They also heard success stories from representatives of the Class of 1973, the first class to sit the CXC CSEC exams in this Territory. Panelists included Complaints Commissioner Mr. Elton Georges; Long Serving Educator and the Territory’s representative at the Inaugural CXC Meeting held in Barbados in 1973 Dr. Charles Wheatley;Representatives from the Class of 1973 Mrs. Theresa Shirley-Frett and Mrs. Janice Brathwaite-Edwards and Former CXC Table Head for Spanish and Elmore Stoutt High Teacher Ms. Andrea Corbin-Hodge. Educator, Mrs. Celia Georges moderated the discussion and Education Officer Mrs. Connie George provided a comprehensive overview of CXC.
The Ministry of Education and Culture continues to encourage students to build on their academic potentialwhile preparing to be regionally and globally competitive.
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