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Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). The organization was in
discussion on a grant which would allow countries to participate for two years without
making any financial contributions to the programme. The Registrar advised the SEC that all
territories were sent correspondence asking for an indication of interest to participate.

22. Dr Grace McLean, Jamaica representative, indicated that she was not aware of the
receipt of the CXC letter regarding PISA in the Ministry of Education Youth and Information
(MoEYI), Jamaica. She however, informed the SEC that the Inter-American Development
Bank (IDB) and the British Council have been engaging Jamaica in discussion regarding PISA
with a view that the country consider implementation for 2019 with preparation to
commence in 2017. Members heard that during those discussions the MoEYI, Jamaica
learned that the CXC would be the body to coordinate PISA across the Caribbean. She
informed the SEC that Jamaica had more than an interest in implementing PISA and was
influenced by the apparent benefits to other countries that have participated. Dr McLean
asked that a copy of the letter be forwarded to the Ministry so that Jamaica could prepare a
formal response to the CXC.

23. Dr McLean also commented on the Information and Communication Technology
(ICT) reliability informing the SEC that the constant failure of the technology was not
encouraging especially for persons who would have attended the virtual meetings fully
prepared to participate. She pointed out that there also does not seem to be any contingent
arrangements in place. Dr McLean asked that interim arrangements be considered
when the technology fails to facilitate the sharing of information in order for members to
fully participate and serve the interests of their territories.

24. Members also heard from Dr McLean that there needs to be an integration of the CXC’s
Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA) into Jamaica’s primary assessment which was
very similar to that methodology. She added that there was future collaboration and
integration that could take place with the CXC and the MoEYI, Jamaica in that regard.

25. The Registrar informed the SEC that the PISA letter would be re-sent to all territories
at the end of the meeting. Members also heard that the similarities between the CPEA and
the MoEYI, Jamaica primary assessment was almost indistinguishable so there should be no
challenge with the CXC and the MoEYI working together to implement the CPEA.

26. The Registrar assured the SEC that the CXC will continue to monitor and address the
issues experienced with the ICT. Members heard that, over the years, the organization had
employed different methods in an effort to improve the outcomes. The suggestion to
facilitate discussions if the technology fails would need to be discussed with the Chairman to
determine how best that could be undertaken whether through a rescheduled or extended
meeting.

27. Mrs Beverly Neptune, St. Vincent and the Grenadines representative, suggested that
the CPEA should be the norm and not an exception if Ministries were serious about changing
classroom practices. Mrs Cheryl Bernabe-Bishop, Grenada representative, stated that the

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