Presbyterian church hits 'heartless' CXC over results

The Presbyterian Church of TT joins the chorus of criticism of the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) over the 2020 secondary schools examinations, accusing the Barbados-based body of lacking compassion to the turmoil students feel over their disappointing results.

"We join with the principals, students, teachers, and parents within our educational institutions in expressing our disappointment by the lack of empathy, transparency, and compassion shown by CXC," at its news conference on Friday, the Presbyterian Secondary Schools Board of Education of the Presbyterian Church of TT said on Saturday.

The church's concerns come as the Education Ministry prepares to make an official complaint to the CXC over Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) results.

In a media release, also on Saturday, the ministry noted that in a meeting held with CXC on Friday afternoon, the issue was raised not only by TT but several other Caribbean territories.

It said, “At this meeting, attended by at least six regional ministers of education, the issues surrounding the consternation of students and education stakeholders on receipt of the preliminary results were raised.”

On Wednesday, the 2020 preliminary examinations results were released but there was much uproar over the grades. Schools, teachers, parents and students across the region complained that it was inaccurate and called on CXC for a review.

The ministry said it will send official communication to CXC within the next seven days and has called on principals to submit concerns in writing to the local registrar offices.

It noted that additional information on the marking criteria and school-based assessments (SBA) will be requested to dispel any claims of unfairness in issuing grades.

“The official communication which will be sent to highlight school-level concerns will also request from CXC specific information regarding the SBA moderation process, and results of same, and the methodology used to calculate the final grades of students.

“These two critical matters require much more elucidation; as they form the basis for much of the speculation now circulating in the region about the integrity of the results,” the ministry said.

The Presbyterian church, one of the leading denominational schools organisations, said the discrepancies have led to much stress and emotional turmoil of principals, teachers, parents, and students over this year’s curiously inconsistent results.

It chastised CXC for its handling of this year’s examination and grading, even accusing it of a lack of transparency.

The church said that, “It is noted that while there may be unforeseeable individual mishaps, which will inevitably occur every year during examination conditions, the magnitude and prevalence of these anomalies and discrepancies are too broad-based to ignore.

“It would appear, that the grading of examination scripts and the scrutiny or supervision of same by CXC lacks the requisite level of transparency, accountability, and safeguards to ensure the results are beyond question.”

The church noted the importance and level of confidence placed in the examinations afforded by CXC, and said while there was reason to celebrate the successes of some good results, it cannot ignore and tacitly support disenfranchising or trivialising the grave concerns of those who have been aggrieved.

It said, “The results over the years will show that our principals and teachers are well poised to analyse the results and identify anomalies and discrepancies.

“We also hold our teachers’ integrity and professionalism in high esteem to be in a position to professionally evaluate and adhere to the rubric of CXC’s SBAs and internal assessments (IA) and maintain impartiality.”

It added that the situation is cause for much concern as it jeopardises the future of the students’ education at the tertiary level and loss of confidence in CXC and its systems.

“The integrity of the entire education system in the region is at stake and the situation therefore demands commensurate level of engagement, transparent reassessment and review,” it said.

The church added that the lack of empathy shown by CXC on the matter was disheartening, as the regional examining body failed to take into consideration the impact and effects of the covid19 pandemic on the students.

“The panel addressed the Caribbean wide dissatisfaction and numerous press releases, letters and social media complaints from member states and individuals in a dismissive manner by saying they received ‘no formal complaints.’ We are disturbed and disheartened by such a response and pray there can be a complete change of heart in the approach being adopted by CXC officials in this matter.”

The church also called on CXC to waiver the US$30 fee attached to queries due to the unique situation and economic climate brought about by the pandemic.