KINGSTON, Jamaica — The National Youth Council of Jamaica (NYCJ) says it is aware of the current challenges faced by secondary school students sitting Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) examinations, but noted that there is a gap in the discussion for private candidates writing the CXC, City and Guilds and General Certificate of Education (GCE) examinations.

The NYCJ, which advocates for youths across Jamaica, said it has been made aware of the issue through ongoing dialogue with parish councils and candidates registered to sit CXC examinations in private institutions and is seeking to stimulate national dialogue on these issues.

On Monday, the Minister without portfolio with responsibility for the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Karl Samuda announced that Jamaican students will sit secondary level exit exams in July.

This includes the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC), and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) papers, both administered by the CXC and begin on July 27.

Consequently, the council said it has recognised the need to:

[naviga:ul]

[naviga:li]Advocate for candidates who are resitting CXC subjects outside the parameters of secondary institutions and may experience difficulties in sitting CXC subjects whether aligned to access to educational materials or adequate provisions for sitting at private centres;[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Support the National Secondary Students` Council (NSSC) on their inclusion in the planning and implementation of logistics for a timely, comfortable and “COVID-19 free” CXC sitting;[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Champion the call for City and Guilds and GCE examinations be included in the national conversation to provide clarity and guidance to affected youth and parents;[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Bolster the campaign for resource access and mobilisation to aid examination preparations for all youth participating in CXC, City and Guilds and GCE examination to afford adequate preparation for July/August sitting; and[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Encourage youth across Jamaica to contact the relevant stakeholders such as: the National Youth Council of Jamaica (NYCJ), the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information and the National Secondary Students’ Council (NSSC), should there be any issue regarding the date set for the sitting of the examinations.[/naviga:li]

[/naviga:ul]