In addition to a decline in the number of candidates entered for this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC), high levels of absenteeism were also recorded.
A release issued by the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) revealed that only 14,233 persons were entered in last month’s CSEC exams, which offered 13 subjects.
This compared to the 20,194 candidates entered to take the exams in January, 2018.
However, in subjects such as Office Administration, Human and Social Biology, Principles of Accounts, Principles of Business and English Literature, a high percentage of students did not turn up for the exam.
CXC’s Chief Executive Officer and Registrar Glenroy Cumberbatch has blamed the low turnout on poor preparation and has recommended that stronger backing be given to students from their respective Ministries of Education, by making students aware of available resources for better preparation.
Office Administration was hardest hit by absenteeism, as almost 41 per cent of registered students did not take the exam. Only 68 per cent of persons took the Human and Social Biology and Principles of Accounts exams, while 29 per cent of persons were absent for either Principles of Business or English Literature.
Subjects such as Chemistry (17 per cent) and Physics (19 per cent) were less affected.
It was also revealed that 89.5 per cent of all absentees in the region were aged 17 and over.
Cumberbatch said the issue was one that needed to be urgently addressed.
“While it is important for CXC to continue to expand access of its examinations through the January sittings, the rate of absenteeism for these examinations detracts from the critical objective of offering the opportunity to out-of-school and re-sit candidates to improve their qualifications. It is also a concern for the respective territories as it is a waste of resources,” he said.
“CXC remains committed to supporting all students with our resources for better preparation using CXC’s website . . . for easy access to past papers, syllabi, study guides and other materials. We also facilitate online support from peers and other resource persons with CXC social media portals.
“These resources are easily accessible, secure and inexpensive. We will continue to reinforce that support with feedback on their performances, especially in areas where they need the strongest assistance,” Cumberbatch added.
The CSEC examination is offered in January where re-sit and private students make up the majority of the candidates, while the CSEC examination in May/June sees mostly school-entered candidates and private candidates. CSEC subjects are examined for certification at the General and Technical proficiencies, which provides students with the foundation for further studies and entry to the workplace.
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