CXC to review 11 subjectsBy COREY CONNELLY Tuesday, July 14 2009
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Dr Didacus Jules...
In an attempt to revolutionise the education system to further meet the needs of the 21st century, the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) and the Institute of Critical Thinking at the University of the West Indies (UWI) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to review eleven subjects for secondary schools.
The agreement was signed by director of the Institute of Critical Thinking Dr Bhoe Tewarie, CXC registrar Dr Didacus Jules and measurement and evaluation division officer Cyndra Ramsundar, during a simple function at the Centre for Language Learning at UWI’s St Augustine campus.
The initiative is aimed at allowing students to think critically as opposed to simply regurgitating facts to pass examinations.
Subjects to be reviewed at the level of the Caribbean Examination Certificate (CSEC), during a two-year pilot project, are Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Integrated Science, Economics, Caribbean History, Geography, Social Studies, Principles of Business and English A and English B.
At the level of the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE), the focus would be on Literatures in English.
Tewarie, in a brief address, said the programme would involve a comprehensive review of all syllabuses examined by the CXC and make recommendations for the redesign and reconfiguration of the examinations with a view to ensuring that the approaches to preparation for examinations are infused with critical thinking.
He added that the collaboration between the institute and CXC would make a qualitative difference to education at the secondary level.
“It will have the positive effect of improving evaluation mechanisms, strengthening curriculum, enhancing syllabus and transforming pedagogy.
“All of this will have very positive impact in a very direct way on approaches to teaching and learning and on the framework within which teaching and learning environments are created,” Tewarie said.
Tewarie, a former UWI principal, said the initiative would have a positive impact on the experience of students in the classroom and on the creativity of teachers in fulfilling their mission.
Students graduating from secondary school, he said, would develop their capacity for critical thought, assessment and analysis.
“Thoughtful educators in our region will tell you that there is tremendous need for this in our education system and indeed there is a consensus among leading educators worldwide that in the age of information overload, the era of what is often described as the knowledge economy, critical thinking is the one thing that is absolutely required...to feed innovation and fuel entrepreneurship,” Tewarie added.
Tewarie said a joint monitoring team would be established to ensure that the pilot meets its stated objectives.
