OVER the next several weeks, the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) will be working with the United Kingdom National Recognition Information Centre (UK NARIC) to benchmark the Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence (CCSLC).

The benchmarking will seek to compare the CCSLC qualification with similar levels of qualifications in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and Australia.

The objective of the benchmarking exercise is to facilitate a wider recognition of the CCSLC beyond the Caribbean region, which other CXC qualifications such as the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) currently enjoy.

The benchmarking will also provide objective recommendations for improving the qualification design, assessment and quality assurance where necessary.

As part of the exercise, a two-member UK NARIC team will visit Barbados on May 15 and 16 to observe the delivery of CCSLC in two schools, Queen’s College and Dighton Griffith Secondary School.

“The benchmarking of CCSLC is an important step for CXC and the region as we strive to make our human resource base globally competitive,” Dr Didacus Jules, registrar of CXC stated.

“When completed, the benchmarking will allow the CCSLC to be recognised beyond the Caribbean and facilitate the qualification holders to use it internationally in the same way holders of CAPE and CSEC use their qualifications. CXC views its qualifications as “passports” to pathways our candidates may choose.”

UK NARIC is the national agency providing information and advice on academic, vocational and professional qualifications worldwide, and has developed extensive knowledge of international education systems. UK NARIC was the first international body to recognise CAPE in 1999 and advise universities and colleges in the UK on the acceptance of CAPE.

“UK NARIC is delighted to be working with the CXC in the evaluation of the CCSLC, its most recent secondary school level qualification,” Stephanie Thomas, project officer at UN NARIC said.

“We appreciate the important role that education plays both in facilitating domestic and global mobility and in developing and shaping economies. Evaluating the CCSLC against international education standards will help strengthen understanding of the qualification amongst international stakeholders.