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33. The Registrar informed the SEC that much of what is required for improvements in
education already exists and pointed out that the drawback was that teachers viewed the
required actions as encroaching on their practiced way of teaching. For teacher preparation,
the CXC has established virtual learning communities for teachers as well as learning
resources in the form of video tutorials. The Registrar reminded the SEC that the CXC is not
a teacher training institution, the organization would however, provide as much support to
teachers as it possibly can.

34. The SEC heard that the CXC has established committees for Mathematics and English
to look at the issues affecting candidates’ performance in those subjects and what strategies
could be effected to resolve them. The Registrar will present the reports to the SUBSEC in
April 2017. The SEC heard that collaboration between the CXC and teacher training
institutions has been very difficult to establish. The organization has tried on numerous
occasions to make contact without success. The CXC will attempt to address this through the
Joint Board of Teacher Education (JBTE).

35. Dr McLean supported the establishment of the CXC centres as mentioned by the
Registrar in his report. She enquired whether a terms of reference or protocol document
was available to direct how centres will be established and the approach that would be used
to promote the value and impact they will have in order to attract new persons to register
for the examinations. She opined that there was great possibility for income generation
through the establishment of centres. Dr McLean also enquired whether Council and
committees have taken a firm documented decision that e-testing would be fully
implemented in 2019. She informed the SEC that principals of secondary schools in Jamaica
were not comfortable with the approach that was being taken for e-testing amid the feeling
and realization that a number of follow-up actions needed to be carried out to ensure that e-
testing could run smoothly. She however, informed the SEC that Jamaica would be ready for
e-testing in 2019. Dr McLean reminded the SEC that the examinations determined students’
future and that it was important that psychological issues that could affect students who
were testing in an online environment must be taken into consideration.

36. Dr McLean referenced the section of the presentation which spoke to revenue
projection and enquired of the basis on which the CXC projects a five per cent increase in
revenues in 2017 when the previous projection for 2016 was not fully achieved. She
commended the CXC on the effectiveness of its communication channels and collaboration
on some issues, however, she pointed out that some far reaching decisions were handled in
an autocratic and dictatorial manner and asked that the CXC use the partnership approach
to stakeholder engagement. Dr McLean added that in order to allow the rest of the countries
to recognize the good work and value of what the CXC has been doing, there needs to be a
greater level of discussion and consensus so that there is no conflict and greater buy-in.

37. The Registrar in response informed the SEC that Local Registrars screen centres and
make recommendations to the CXC on the ones which have met the requirements for both
teaching and testing. The SEC heard that the CXC intends to work with centres to highlight
recognition and encourage registration. The Registrar informed the SEC that as it relates to

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