Dear Editor,

The Caribbean Examinations Council wishes to respond to a letter in the Jamaica Observer of June 11, “Put environmental science in CXC curriculum.”

First, the council shares the writer’s concerns for environmental issues and the negative impact some practices are having on the environment in the small island states of the region.

Cognisant of these concerns, CXC has infused environmental issues in many of its subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) level for many years. A cursory check of the syllabuses for CSEC agricultural science, biology, chemistry, human and social biology, geography, integrated science and social studies will reveal significant environmental science content.

While environmental science is not a named subject at the CSEC level, it is certainly adequately covered by several subjects in various cognate groups.

If one looks at the aims and objectives of some subjects this point is vividly made. The rationale for the biology syllabus states in part “…The study of biology, therefore, is designed to assist students to recognise their responsibility to conserve, protect, maintain and improve the quality of the biological environment for future generations…”

In addition, two of the aims state that students should:

* recognise the dynamic nature of the interrelationships between organisms and their environment

* develop a natural curiosity about living organisms and a respect for all living things and the environment

The geography syllabus aims to, among other things…

* stimulate interest in the nature of natural and human systems and their interaction

* promote an understanding of the processes at work in natural and human systems

* develop an understanding of the interrelationships between the natural and the human environment.

Additionally, among the several objectives is that students will appreciate the relationship between the natural and human systems.

The rationale for the integrated science syllabus speaks to students being able to apply scientific principles, investigative and problem-solving skills, be effective in communicating scientific knowledge, and demonstrate an appreciation for all living organisms in their environment. Among the aims are:

* to increase awareness of the importance of living in harmony with the environment

* to encourage an appreciation of the need to preserve the natural environment.

Contrary to the writer’s assertion that CXC does not offer any courses in environmental science, CXC in fact has been offering a two-unit subject called environmental science at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) level since 2004, as well as an associate degree in environmental science from 2006. The two units of environmental science provide a rigorous and scholarly study of issues in environmental science. This is recognised by several universities in North America which offer transfer credits and exemptions to students presenting these units as part of their matriculation.

For the enlightenment of the public and the writer of the letter, the environmental science syllabus is structured as follows:

UNIT 1: Ecology, Human Population and Natural Resources

Module 1 – Fundamental Ecological Principles

Module 2 – Human Population and the Environment

Module 3 – Sustainable Use of Natural Resources

UNIT 2: Agriculture, Energy and Environmental Pollution

Module 1 – Agriculture and the Environment

Module 2 – Energy and the Environment

Module 3 – Pollution of the Environment

Each module is then broken down into topics; for example, Unit 1, Module 1 – Fundamental Ecological Principles has six topics: Ecological Terms and Concepts, The Structure of Ecosystems, Community Ecology, Ecosystem Stability and Diversity, Population Ecology and Human Interactions with Natural Ecosystems.

The council develops new subjects in collaboration with regional education stakeholders based on perceived pedagogical needs and the human resource imperatives of the region.

CXC is therefore satisfied that environmental science is adequately covered in its CSEC and CAPE offerings, as it caters for the students who wish to have breadth or depth of knowledge of environmental science and the related issues.

Cleveland Sam

CXC Public Information Officer

CSam@cxc.org