The Opposition’s Dr. Angela Brown-Burke is insisting that despite previous failed attempts the government should partner with other Caribbean islands and lobby the Caribbean’s examination body to postpone exams this year. 

This, after some stakeholders contend the students will be severely impacted, especially those transitioning from grade 11 into grade 12 during the pandemic. Opposition Spokesperson on Education Angela Brown-Burke is urging the government to form good partnerships with other Caribbean countries in an effort to collectively persuade the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) to postpone this year’s exams.

Brown-Burke says now isn’t the time to be burning bridges, as a group effort is needed to tackle this particular issue and many others in the region. She says principals, parents and students have been voicing their concerns for the upcoming exams, the most common one being whether the students will be adequately prepared and ready to sit the May, June examinations. 

Meanwhile, president of the Jamaica Association of Principals of Secondary Schools Linvern Wright says he’s not sure Jamaica will receive its usual results from the CSEC and CAPE examinations, given there was limited time to prepare students. CVM Live understands the education ministry requested a delay of the exams; however that was seemingly not approved since the examinations are to be held in May as customary. 

Reporter: Velonique Bowen