KINGSTON, Jamaica — Students at Penwood High School in St Andrew who received ‘ungraded’ scores in this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate exams due to a failure to submit samples of their School-based Assessment (SBA) by the July 31 deadline, will receive their upgraded results next month.

In a joint news release from the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, CXC said that the recently submitted projects are being marked and the updated results will be provided by the end of October, which is the normal time for the release of final results.

Approximately 40 students of the school were affected. However, after an appeal, CXC decided to accept the outstanding SBA samples.

Meanwhile, CXC and the ministry said the “amicable agreement”, as it relates to recent issues regarding examination and specifically surrounding the Penwood case, was reached at a high-level meeting last Thursday.

The meeting, which reportedly examined the systems and protocols that exist within both organisations to address various issues reinforced the principles that govern the partnership relationship between the two entities and procedures that are to be followed when problems occur. Both entities gave commitments to improve communication between the organisations as well as to strengthening the existing working relationship.  

They also reportedly reaffirmed that as the leading regional examinations body, the integrity of CXC certifications must be upheld as they work together to serve the learners of the region.

It was noted that CXC has clear policies to ensure the rights of candidates are not prejudiced from any actions that affect their performance.

“These can range from hardships, irregularities, queries and review of their results. There are clear processes that must be followed in their entirety so that all candidates’ concerns are fully investigated and the necessary action taken so as not to disadvantage any candidate,” the release stated.

It was also noted that there is the need for a review of the existing policies to support the move towards electronic and online testing and allowance and contingencies must be put in place to support the transition.