THE PROPOSED move by the Ministry of Education to cap the number of subjects students sit at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations has sparked a lively debate, drawing mixed reactions from parents, teachers and students.
The proposed move by the ministry, which was silently discussed since the time of the previous administration but never gained traction, sought to limit the number of subjects candidates here are permitted to write to not more than 10.
Perhaps, the last two education ministers of the previous administration were mindful of the public criticism that such a policy would attract and decided not to give serious heed to the idea proposed by their technical officers.

Since then, some of the most senior education officers felt that the school system was too academic-driven and there was little time for students, especially at senior secondary schools to have recreation. Others felt that there was no need for a student to write 20 subjects when just about six, inclusive of mathematics and English, are required to gain employment and to matriculate at institutions of higher learning.
These discussions never gained a consensus position because there were others who felt otherwise, and regardless of what decision was taken, it would have had to obtain the blessings of the minister. Some have contended that aside from candidates needing just six subjects to matriculate or gain employment, sitting more than 10 at CSEC puts tremendous and undue strain on them. Undoubtedly, these assertions hold some bit of truth but require careful examination.

Based on conventions in the school system, it is the class teacher who after accessing the abilities of a student, recommends if the student should sit 10 or more subjects at CSEC. At no time a student decides willy-nilly to write 10 subjects or more.
It is also the student who indicates to the teacher that he intends to write 10 or more subjects and in the vast majority of cases, these are the outstanding students from the top schools, who write to make their families and school proud and to set and celebrate standards of excellence.

Moreover, many of them are involved in sports, culture and the arts. The claim therefore that these students are pressured to sit 10 or more subjects at the regional examinations is somewhat ill-informed. Maybe, in this delicate mix a public consultation might be useful in arriving at a position that will satisfy both the ministry and students and their parents, who may have a different view from what is being proposed.

The education sector is still grappling with many challenges despite billions of dollars being pumped into it every year. Students’ performance in mathematics and English remain poor, the state of technical and vocational education geared at stemming school drop outs is unknown and there needs to be greater attention paid to science and technology- something which President David Granger has promised to fix and has been taking steps to do so.
Then there are issues of teachers’ absenteeism, teachers not delivering duly in the classroom, ghost teachers in the school system, coupled with an absence of a well-thought out strategy to reform or better direct students who are academically-challenged, among other challenges. Given these myriad problems, it is understandable why President Granger, who has spoken passionately about education, has indicated he will create a department within the Ministry of the Presidency chaired by him to oversee education innovation and reform.