The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC®) is moving to increase its collaboration with stakeholders for the development of the region’s educational system in a more inclusive manner, with concerted efforts to revitalise “national committees” in participating countries.
On Thursday, 10 March 2022, CXC® hosted the Annual Conference of National Committees—an event organised by the Office of the Pro-Registrar at the Western Zone Office in Jamaica.
“National Committees are an organised group of in-country stakeholders comprising government, teachers’ unions, professional education bodies, employers, parents, students, universities, and teacher training institutions which are central to the governance system of CXC®,” a release from the Council explained. “They contribute to CXC’s planning, decision-making, feedback and continuous improvement.”
According to the CXC statement, the two sessions of the conference saw attendance by members of CXC’s governing council, National Committee Chairpersons and members, as well as representatives from the CARICOM Secretariat, UNESCO, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States Commission (OECS), Ministry of Education officials from across the region, teachers, principals, and representatives from regional tertiary-level institutions.
During the first session, Chairpersons of the National Committees from each country met and held discussions on the functionality of the National Committees and the creation of a framework for engagement.
The second session was held under the theme “New Methods of Competence-Based Credentialing in Secondary Education” and entailed a professional development opportunity for members of National Committees across the region. Moderated by Dr Barbara Reynolds, International Consultant and former Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, the session featured a presentation titled “The CXC® Focus on Competence-based Credentialing Using Micro-Awards”, by Dr Eduardo Ali, Pro-Registrar and Deputy CEO, CXC®.
In his presentation, Dr Ali reflected on CXC’s major strategic initiatives.
“Dr Ali indicated that CXC’s repositioning as a regional enterprise supported its capacity to lead educational transformation, redesign creative innovative products and strengthen corporate governance,” the release from the Council reported. “He also presented on flexible learning models to include prior learning assessment, recognition systems and equivalency and articulation processes.”
The release added: “Dr Ali highlighted CXC’s conceptual plans for macro- and micro-credentialling, micro-credential courses for the professionalisation of teachers through the CXC® Professional Learning Institute and the introduction of new qualifications and micro-awards which will promote educational access, enhance quality and increase lifelong learning options of citizens across the region.”
The second presentation by Dr Debra Ferdinand-James, Senior Lecturer and Coordinator, MA Leadership in TVET and Workforce Development, University of the West Indies, Mona, focused on Competency-based Digital Assessment Practices in Secondary Education.
“Dr Ferdinand-James’ presentation highlighted the incorporation of digital technology in the education system with examples of how it was utilised as an emergency response to facilitating teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic and assessment practices and case studies for digital learning. She also focused on the emergence of a new digital economy in Industry 4.0 and 5.0,” CXC® reported.
The Council said it will its collaboration with stakeholders for the development of the region’s educational system, as it seeks to transform its operations for greater regional impact.
