The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) today (April 27) announced a three-week delay of this year’s sitting of the CSEC and CAPE exams.

The CSEC and CAPE exams, initially scheduled to begin on May 2, will now start on May 23—allowing students more time to prepare for the high school exit examinations.

The regional governing body disclosed the changes during a virtual media conference, which was convened after a special meeting of the Schools Examinations Committee, CXC council—represented by ministries of education across the Caribbean—and other education stakeholders.

According to the CEO of CXC, Dr Wayne Wesley, the decision to delay the administration of the regional exams was made with several factors in mind.

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic’s negative effect on learning modalities was chief among the issues for the CXC board.

“The Caribbean Examinations Council stands in solidarity with the region and the international commuinity, as we grapple with the impact of COVID-19 on our way of life. The council recognises the impact of COVID-19 on the education system in general and, more specifically, on the schedule of CXC’s regional examinations,” began Wesley.

“At a special meeting of council this morning, the governing board of the Caribbean Examinations Council, following feedback from regional ministries of education on the timing of the 2022 regional examinations. Members of council reviewed and reached a consensus,” the CXC Registrar and CEO added.

Wesley further explained that with the delayed start, CSEC and CAPE results would be released in late August or early September.

Additionally, CXC has approved a two-week extension for the submission of school-based assessments (SBAs) for both CSEC and CAPE candidates. This effectively moves from the previous June 30 deadline to July 14 or thereabout.

CXC’s release of broad topics on Paper II for the 2022 sitting of CSEC and CAPE exams will be shared with respective ministries of education and then communicated to candidates, Wesley noted.

“We continue to work with our stakeholders in the best interest of our students across the region. It is always important…our collective will and consensus on matters of regional importance. We have obtained that consensus and, by that reason, council approved the foregoing decisions,” declared Wesley.

The special CXC meeting comes two days after an April 25 statement from the regional examinations body that there would be no delay of the 2022 CSEC and CAPE exams.

CXC argued at the time that “a delayed start to the examinations would negatively impact the date for the release of results, affecting candidates’ ability to meet the matriculation period for pursuing higher education at universities, as well as scholarship application opportunities.”

Just last Friday, Jamaica’s Minister of Education and Youth Fayval Williams indicated she wrote to Kay McConney, chair of CARICOM’S Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD), to outline the need for a delay to the exam dates.

RELATED: Jamaica seeks urgent meeting with COHSOD to discuss delaying this year’s CXC exams