Page 53 - 2020 CXC Annual Report

World Class Exams – Syllabus Development

Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE )
®

FINANCIAL SERVICES STUDIES Additionally, some Specific Objectives were reordered to
The Review Committee met online 6–8 October 2020 and enhance their alignment with the considerations for effective
analysed stakeholders’ comments and concerns as expressed organisation of Content and new ones developed to more
in questionnaires and reports, evaluated candidates’ effectively delineate the scope of the syllabus.
performance in the examinations, and proposed amendments
to the CAPE® Financial Services Studies Syllabus and The Review Committee also recommended the clarification
examinations in light of their performance, and to the syllabus and elaboration of existing Content as well as the addition of
in light of the comments and concerns from stakeholders new Content to ensure inclusion of more current and relevant
and the policy requirements of the Council. The Review information to include emerging trends such as cryptocurrency,
Committee recommended the revision all aspects of the ethical, regulatory and environmental considerations, among
syllabus including refining the Rationale, Aims and the General others; while delimiting the Content to ensure teachers are
Objectives to ensure they reflect the required construct sufficiently guided.
including the twenty-first century skills and the philosophical,
political psychological underpinning which support the Additionally, the revision of Suggested Teaching and Learning
imperatives of the Council as well as the attributes of the Ideal Activities and the revision and updating of the list of print and
Caribbean Person, and UNESCO Pillars of Learning. They electronic resources and relevant policies were recommended
recommended that the Rationale be adjusted to include the to provide high levels of authentic engagement, help teachers
approach to teaching, learning and assessment, twenty-first cater to diversity among learners, help learners to develop
century skills and additional attributes of the Ideal Caribbean critical skills while supporting the development of appropriate
Person. These are ‘values, community cohesion, and moral attitudes and values and ensure the relevance and currency in
issues including responsibility for and accountability to self each Module of the syllabus.
and community; and values and displays creative imagination
in its various manifestation and nurture its development in the The draft syllabus will be submitted to the April 2021 meeting
economic and entrepreneurial spheres and in all other areas of SUBSEC requesting approval to complete the revision of the
of life as well as the additional UNESCO Pillar, ‘Learning to live syllabus. If the request is approved, the draft syllabus with the
together’. proposed amendments will be sent to subject specialist and a
sample of teachers in participating territories for feedback to be
The Review Committee also recommended that the Aims and considered at a Panel meeting which will be convened in June
General Objectives be revised and new Aims added to ensure 2021 to complete the revision of the syllabus. The finalised
appropriate alignment with the Rationale and among the other syllabus along with the specimen examination papers, keys
elements of the syllabus. Some Specific Objectives were and mark schemes will be submitted to SUBSEC in October
either clarified, elaborated, or the level of cognitive demand 2021, for approval. If approval is granted, the syllabus and
were adjusted to enhance the development of higher-level copies of the specimen examination papers, keys and mark
cognitive skills and twenty-first century skills to be covered schemes will be distributed to schools in September 2022, for
in each Module and to more effectively delineate the scope first examination in May–June 2023.
for the knowledge and skills to be covered in each Module.
Greater guidance was also provided for teachers and students.

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