KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) is to meet with Ministers of Education across the region regarding the suspension of the syllabi of four Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects.

Last week, it was revealed that CXC will no longer be awarding certification for mechanical engineering at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) level nor certifying green engineering, electrical and electronic engineering and technology, and agricultural science, double award at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency (CAPE) level due to low student enrolment.

The information was prematurely released to the media by the Overseas Examinations Commission, (OEC) which has since apologised for the incident.

“The OEC regrets this impetuosity and informs that though CXC has provided an advisory on the discontinuation of the aforementioned subjects, a decision to remove them from the Jamaican secondary schools’ curriculum has not yet been taken.

“CXC has advised that territories or groups of territories across the Caribbean region may decide to maintain the subjects as part of the suite of certification options for terminal exams but such territories will be allowed to do so under certain conditions,” the OEC said.

READ: Premature release of information

In a statement on Wednesday, CXC said it is aware of the concerns being expressed by valued stakeholders.

Noting that the release was addressed to the Ministries of Education, the council said the situation is regrettable and understandably would have caused anxiety among the public.

It said to address the matter, the council has scheduled a meeting with the Ministers of Education and will provide a full update to the public, through a press release, thereafter.