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ITEMS 10 - 13: CARIBBEAN SECONDARY EDUCATION CERTIFICATE (CSEC®)

Report on the Meetings to complete the revision of the Information Technology Syllabus

34. The SUBSEC received the report on the meetings to complete the revisions of the
Information Technology Syllabus and noted the timeline from introduction to revisions.
Members heard that the most significant change to the syllabus was the move from Pascal to
Visual Basic. The SUBSEC noted the proposed changes, outline of the assessment and a
comment from Subject Matter Expert, Mr Halzen, Assistant Professor, Department of
Computer and Information Sciences, Northern Caribbean University, Jamaica, that, “teachers
and learners who interact with the syllabus will be well guided as the content was clearly
articulated.”

35. Dr McLean enquired whether the removal of Pascal would eliminate the
programming challenges experienced by candidates over the years. The Pro-Registrar
explained that Pascal has long been considered a “dead” programming language and that the
CXC would use Visual Basic to test problem-solving. She informed the SUBSEC that the
change to Visual Basic would not completely remove the issues, rather explanations on the
requirements should address those challenges. The Registrar pointed out that the CXC may
not need to state a programming language instead candidates should choose which they
prefer to use in their process of problem-solving. Dr McLean suggested that the
programming language could be stated in such a way that it can be changed as technology
evolves.

36. The Pro-Registrar informed the SUBSEC that the CXC did have that conversation with
the Panel and that it was strongly felt that Pascal would provide a gateway to learning all the
different programming languages. It would also provide a foundation for candidates with an
interest in programming.

37. Miss White referred to the format of the assessment for Paper 02 and enquired
whether the paper was being “watered down” with the move from twelve items to four. The
Pro-Registrar informed the SUBSEC that twelve items on the question paper was overkill and
that the restructuring of the syllabus document facilitated the change to four. She explained
that the entire assessment format for the subject would allow for coverage of all areas of the
syllabus.

38. The SUBSEC considered the proposals of the Review Committee for revising the
CSEC® Information Technology Syllabus and approved the final draft of the CSEC®
Information Technology Syllabus and specimen examination papers effective for teaching
from September 2018 and for examinations in May-June 2020 pending discussion with the
Panel on allowing flexibility in use of programming language. (D & A.P.)

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