Page 59 - 2020 CXC Annual Report

World Class Exams – Syllabus Development

®
Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC )

The following is a summary of the actions which were (g) Adjusting the layout of each section of the syllabus to
recommended by the Review Committee: include the relevant General Objectives and aligning the
(a) Revision of the Rationale to ensure it appropriately components of the syllabus.
reflects the attributes of the Ideal Caribbean Person, the
twenty-first century skills and the approach to teaching (h) Reviewing the outline of the Assessment components to
and learning which are fundamental to the syllabus. ensure compliance with policy requirements.

(b) Revision of the Aims, to ensure that they are written in (i) Inclusion of a list of print and electronic resources and a
keeping with sound curriculum development principles. Glossary of terms in the syllabus.

(c) Revision of the General Objectives to ensure appropriate The draft syllabus was submitted to the November 2020
coverage of the scope of the syllabus, and placing the meeting of SUBSEC requesting approval to complete the
relevant General Objectives in the relevant sections of the revision of the syllabus. The request was granted. As such, the
syllabus. draft syllabus with the proposed amendments will be sent to
subject specialists and a sample of teachers of the subject in
(d) Clarification, elaboration and development of Specific each Participating Territory for their comments. The responses
Objectives and related Content to adequately reflect the will be analysed and used at a Panel meeting to be held in
criteria for developing SMART objectives and the criteria June 2021 to finalise the syllabus. SUBSEC is also asked note
for effective selection and organisation of Content, as well that the finalised syllabus and specimen examination papers
as to ensure the adequate cognitive demand and scope and mark schemes will be submitted for approval in October
of the syllabus. 2021. The revised syllabus will become effective for teaching
from September 2022 and for examinations in May–June
(e) Revision of existing Suggested Teaching and Learning 2024.
Activities in each section of the syllabus, and creation
of new activities to facilitate the development of the SOCIAL STUDIES
desired knowledge, skills and attitudes, and the effective The CSEC® Social Studies Review Committee, at its Review
engagement of the learners through the promotion of a Committee Meeting which culminated in May 2020, began
more interactive and practical approach to teaching the the process of comprehensively reviewing the syllabus. The
concepts while facilitating the development of twenty-first main aims of the review were to identify the competencies,
century skills and catering to the diversity among learners. knowledge and attitudes that students might reasonably be
expected to demonstrate and the most appropriate ways
(f) Continuation of the research and discussion surrounding to assess the requirements of the syllabus in light of the
the skills and competencies emphasised in the Office proposed changes. Accordingly, the Review Committee
Administration Syllabus and the CSEC® EDPM Syllabus revisited the Rationale, Aims, General and Specific Objectives,
to determine if there is adequate alignment to facilitate a Content, Suggested Teaching and Learning Activities and
cognate approach to the assessment of the Syllabuses. the Outline of Assessment to ensure that they align to the

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