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by an external body to bring transparency to the process. Professor Harris pointed out that a report
showing the ranges paid to markers would not be helpful if the real issue was a shortfall in the
number of markers needed to complete the marking exercise.

24. Dr McLean suggested that for the 2017 May-June Marking Exercise, CXC makes an online
questionnaire available to poll markers. She pointed out that teachers have reported to the MoEYI,
Jamaica that they were seriously considering pulling out of the marking exercise for a number of
reasons. Dr McLean suggested that the sample be broadened and that the Ministries could assist
with facilitating focus group sessions locally to provide more information with which to make a
decision on the way forward.

ITEM 6: CARIBBEAN ADVANCED PROFICIENCY EXAMINATIONS (CAPE)

Report on the Meetings to finalize the CAPE History Syllabus

25. The SUBSEC received the report on the meeting to finalize the CAPE History Syllabus
and noted the timeline of activities which led to current revisions. Members also noted the major
concerns of stakeholders which included: the length of the syllabus; the time period covered by
the syllabus; treatment of the topic of Slave Systems in the Caribbean; and the inclusion of topics
not relevant to the syllabus.

26. It was reported that revisions to the document would result in the syllabus beginning at the
1800s. There would also be inclusion of the study of the slave system, expansion of the list of
relevant resources, and amendments to the content to ensure that the scope is appropriate to the
CAPE level.

27. The Registrar informed the SUBSEC that in response to the request for the establishment
of a committee to look at the History discipline in the Region, a committee chaired by Professor
Alan Cobley had been set up and a report on the findings of the committee would be presented to
the SUBSEC in October 2017.

28. The SUBSEC considered the contents of the report and approved the final draft of the
CAPE® History Syllabus and specimen examination papers effective for teaching from
September 2017 and for examinations in May–June 2018.

The Report on the Meetings to finalize the Literatures in English Syllabus

29. Members received the report on the Meetings to finalize the CAPE® Literatures in English
Syllabus and were taken through the timeline of introduction to first examination. Proposed
amendments to the syllabus include: change in the format of Paper 01 from short answers to 45
multiple choice items; an update to the list of prescribed texts for 2018-2022; reduction in the
number of questions on Paper 02 to make it more psychometrically robust; and revisions to the
Aims, General Objectives and Content. The SUBSEC noted the format of the assessment and
approved the final draft of the CAPE® Literatures in English Syllabus and specimen examination
papers effective for teaching from September 2017 and for examinations from May–June 2018.

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