The Iyanola Council for the Advancement of Rastafari (ICAR) has urged the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) to reconsider its ‘dangerous decision’ to suspend four subjects.
Th subjects identified were Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Technology, Green Engineering, and the Agriculture Science double award.
Regarding the Agriculture Science double award, ICAR President Aaron Alexander said it represented a step backward for the region, given the importance of food security to Small Island Developing States and the world.
“We need to be able to feed ourselves as a matter of urgency,” Alexander asserted in a statement issued on behalf of ICAR and the Pan African People education committee.
The ICAR President also noted that the region’s farmers are ageing.
As for the other subject areas, Alexander observed that Caricom has a ten-point reparatory justice development plan.
He noted that number nine of the plan speaks to Technology Transfer.
In this regard, Alexander emphasized the need for the region’s people to become technologically proficient at exploiting advanced technology.
“We believe that those subject areas now suspended by the CXC are pivotal for the development of our region,” Alexander stated.
He also warned that the suspension will have severe implications and be very detrimental to the region.
On Wednesday, the CXC issued the following statement:
The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC®) is aware of the concerns being expressed by our valued stakeholders, based on the premature release of correspondence addressed to the Ministries of Education concerning syllabus suspension.
This situation is regrettable and understandably would have caused anxiety among our key stakeholder groups.
In order to address the matter, CXC® has scheduled a meeting with the Ministers of Education and will provide a full update to the public, through a press release, thereafter.
CXC® assures our valued stakeholders that the requisite actions will be taken in the best interest of all.
These CXC “Gods” must be crazy to come with such a dastardly decision which will impact the youth and sustainability of the region.
Thankfully. Important and recognized educators around the region are speaking out of this dreadful decision.
It appears that CXC has become part of the global AGENDA where they do not want the youth to think, do or feed themselves and depend solely on the elites. why else would that have come up with this stupid decision when we as a region are signatories to the SDGs and need food security and sustainability. How will we achieve these goals? Why these four subject? We already have the problem of students relying on AI to do their work. why not meet and rework the syllabus? What will become of our region? CXC is all about themselves all about PROFIT.
Sad 🙁
When the not so bright is heading our children’s educational choices. It is inconceivable to think that in the age of STEM, the regional body for secondary education is dropping all stem subjects. Kifoksah! Shawn Edward, onto you…
With more imported foods, we have an obesity epidemic or pandemic (I see our health professionals thriving), Bill G (the President of America) buying farm lands everywhere; then there is the ‘human’ brain of AI. We learn alot from YouTube, Cousera, and other educational platforms, and many Academies popping their heads, all over the world popping, do we really need ‘CXC’ for entrepreneurship, or to move forward in the future?
Agriculture for Life, ponder
Sadly the CXC Council in their statement seems to have finalized their decision despite the upcoming meeting with the Ministry and stakeholders. This is madness and this decision is not in the best of anyone but the first world countries who are pushing for these subjects to be removed. This is ridiculous. Especially when we teach our children education is the key but I guess education is now limited on the basis of what the “Elite” of this world says. SMH
these are ego driven policies. not sound decision making. cxc should not even be having such a discussion in the first place. it shows you how backward the thinking is. those people should be retired and replaced. it can be 1 person, u should have the subject. your role is to examine.