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Comments from Specialists

19. The Assistant Registrar/SCD advised the Panel that the revised draft CAPE® Biology Syllabus
was also sent to Professor Paula Tennant, Head of Department (Life Sciences), University of the West
Indies, Mona, Jamaica; Dr Adesh Ramsubhag, Head of Department (Life Sciences), University of the
West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; Dr Francis Lopez, Head of Department (Biology and
Chemical Sciences), University of the West Indies, Cavehill, Barbados; and Dr Kamilah Hylton, Dean,
Faculty of Science and Sport, University of Technology, Jamaica; for comments. Specialists from these
institutions were asked to comment on the following:

(a) the value of the syllabus for preparing students for further education;

(b) the value of the syllabus for providing skills necessary for life;

(c) the value of the syllabus for preparing students for the world of work; and,

(d) any other aspect of the syllabus.

20. Comments on the draft syllabus for CAPE® Biology were received from Professor Julian
Duncan, Department (Life Sciences), University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
While Professor Duncan did not respond to the specific aspects of the syllabus as outlined above, he
made a few technical edits to the document and addressed the differences between biological
drawings and diagrams which was not always clear in the syllabus document. The Panellists agreed
and the corrections were made in the syllabus document.

21. The Panellists then reviewed and refined all the Specific Objectives, the Explanatory Notes and
the Suggested Practical Activities to ensure that the depth and scope were clear and that they
incorporated the features of a Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) curriculum.
Suggested Teaching and Learning Activities were reviewed for all Modules of the syllabus to assist
teachers as they engage students in learning experiences which would equip them with the relevant
scientific and technical competencies, transferable skills such as critical thinking, innovativeness, team
work, problem-solving, communication, and other life skills while catering to the different learning
styles. The suggested list of resources, Suggestions for Teaching the Syllabus and The Practical
Approach were updated (see details at Appendix III).

DEVELOPMENT OF SPECIMEN PAPERS

22. The Assistant Registrar/EDPD reminded the Panel that the Specimen Papers were essential
as they were the prototype for the examination and would help to clarify the assessment
specifications and guide the Examining Committee. She further stated that the rubrics of the Specimen
Papers and mark schemes must be clear and of high quality. The Assistant Registrar/EDPD then made
a presentation on the features of good multiple choice questions.

23. The Assistant Registrar/EDPD guided the Panel in constructing the Specimen Papers, mark
schemes and the answer keys in accordance with the amendments made to the syllabus.

REQUEST FOR APPROVAL

24. SUBSEC is asked to approve the final draft of the CAPE® Biology Syllabus and specimen
examination papers as presented at Appendix III effective for teaching from September 2018 and for
examinations in May–June 2019.

Western Zone Office
8 June 2017

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