HIGH school educators, charged with the responsibility of preparing sixth formers for the newly created CXC associate degree, remain largely unsure what is required of them under the programme.

The uncertainty is itself fuel for the debate that has emerged in Jamaica over the Caribbean Examination Council’s newly created Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) associate degree, with educators taking sides for or against, less than a year before regional students are expected to receive the certification.

“One of the major flaws with the CAPE associate degree programme is that there is not enough supporting material for the various courses,” says Ruel Reid, president of the umbrella Jamaica Teachers Association (JTA) which represents the island’s public school teachers.

But Thelma James, principal of the Oberlin High school located in Lawrence Tavern, St Andrew, has a much brighter outlook.

“I believe that it is a good move by the CXC council. It will allow the students to have a greater area of focus, and my students are enthusiastic about the idea,” said James.

However, she also emphasised the need for more resources.

Hampton High, another leading school in St Elizabeth, was particularly supportive of the degree, saying the school would gladly accommodate its student who opt to study for it.

“We are pleased with the CAPE associate degree and the layout of the CAPE associate degree syllabus,” said vice-principal, Joan Linton.

The associate degree, introduced in March this year after approval by regional governments, is offered in nine subject areas: business studies, computer science, environmental science, general studies, humanities, mathematics, modern languages, natural sciences and technical studies.

Jamaica currently offers 22 associate degrees.

But the latest from the CXC has triggered both criticism and praise among educators who are responsible for preparing sixth formers for the degree.

Dennis Minott, whose ranking of high schools based on performance in CXC exams has brought him national attention, led the charge by contending that the CXC CAPE associate degree would hurt a student’s chance for foreign aid at overseas universities because they would be classified as transfer students.

Minott also suggested that the name of the degree be changed to ‘Caribbean Baccalaureate’.

One big concern among some educators is the claim that the supporting material given to teachers by CXC – the standard booklet, brochures and other information which is available on their website – was not sufficient to deliver a quality degree.

“CXC itself has never paid attention to the issue of adequate support materials,” said Reid who added that the lack of resources had been such that only a few of the courses, like Caribbean Studies, had available and comprehensive texts.

The JTA president’s concerns were mirrored by other educators at the various schools.

Another of the immediate complaints is that CAPE teachers do not have sufficient information to speak knowledgeably to parents and students about the benefit of the certification.

“No one at CXC has been able to explain in what way possession of the CAPE associate degree confers greater benefits than merely passing the equivalent number of CAPE courses,” said Bridget Scott, sixth form coordinator at St Andrew High School for Girls, one of the top high schools in the island.

A similar concern has emerged in Clarendon.

“We need time to study and prepare, and to analyse the pros and the cons,” said principal of Clarendon College, William Willis, as he underscored the point that his school too was planning to implement the associate degree next year, but without being able to sufficiently explain the benefits to parents.

In neighbouring Manchester, the Belair High School in Mandeville was also unsure that the degree would have real value.

“We are not sure about the accreditation or feasibility for our students,” commented principal Trevor Brown.

The University of the West Indies, Mona campus – whose principal Professor Kenneth Hall is also CXC chairman – is currently in discussion with CXC as to how treat this degree for matriculation requirements.

Ethley London of the University Council of Jamaica, which accredits 12 associate degrees in eight institutions islandwide, had high praises for the idea of a CAPE degree, stating that accreditation, although a voluntary process, was strongly recommended.

“I believe that it is complementary to what exists in Jamaica. All associate degrees should be accredited. Accreditation is quality insurance,” said London.

In the meantime, Cleveland Sam, CXC assistant registrar for public information, has dismissed Minott’s suggestion of a name change from ‘CXC CAPE Associate Degree’.

Sam was insistent that the degree was beneficial, saying it allowed students to focus more intently on a particular aspect of study, and that the Grade Point Average (GPA) which would be used in the programme, was commonly understood by foreign universities.

The first official awarding of the degrees is set for 2006. Students who obtain grades one to five passes in seven CAPE units, including the one-unit core subjects – Caribbean Studies and Communication Studies – will automatically qualify for the associate degree.

mcfarlaned@jamaicaobserver.com