THE Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), has launched its CXC Visual Arts Exhibition at Castellani House, Homestretch Avenue.The five-day exhibition showcases art works including paintings, craft, sculpture and journals submitted by CXC candidates across the Caribbean and judged for their outstanding quality. Over

250 pieces are being displayed at the exhibition.
In 2004 Guyana became the first country outside of the CXC home territories of Barbados and Jamaica to host the CXC Visual Arts Exhibition, which was held at the National Centre for Education Resource Development (NCERD).
Guyana also hosted the launch of Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) Agriculture Science at the Theatre Arts Guild in May, 2014.
Assistant Registrar, Caribbean Examinations Council, Cleveland Sam, noted that Guyana’s pivotal role in CXC cannot be overstated, but more importantly, the hosting of these activities highlights the excellent working relationship Guyana shares with the CXC.
“Without such relationship, it would be impossible for CXC to accomplish its goals, execute its work programmes and serve the Region the way it does,” he said.
Currently, he said, the Council offers Visual Arts, Music and Theatre Arts at the CXC Level, with Arts and Design at the CAPE Level. In September of 2014, the council further introduced performing Arts with Option of Music, Cinematic Arts, Dance and Drama at the CAPE Level.
Cleveland said the Visual Arts syllabus of CXC, like all other subjects, encompasses all three dominions of learning: Cognitive, Affective and Psychomotor. This subject covers the history of art, elements and principles of design and practical skills.
Chief Education Officer, Olato Sam, expressed appreciation to the Council for giving Guyana the opportunity to host the exhibition at an opportune time in the country’s history.
He said that “despite the country’s dominance in other areas with regard to the regional assessment, it is our intention to be dominant in every single aspect of education in this country; visual arts certainly will be no exception.”
He said that this exhibition will be visualised as an aspiration for students in Guyana to attain an even greater level of achievement in this area.

Sam noted that over the years, the number of students opting for visual arts at the CXC level has been increasing tremendously. However the ministry has recognised that there are a few challenges in the assessment process, hence, with the exposure of this exhibition, he said that teachers and students will be able to better understand the quality of work done by students.
The exhibition, he noted, “goes just beyond the work of our students in relation to visual arts, it really speaks of how we as a Caribbean people can actually improve in our offerings with regard to arts and its value for life.”
In September 2013, CXC introduced the digital media as a subject area in secondary schools across the Caribbean. It was the first 100% paperless examination offered to candidates. This feature will enable students, among other things, to design state-of-the-art websites, develop apps for various purposes and provide animation and video games.
Schools in Guyana are being encouraged by the CXC to get onboard with this exciting subject. (GINA)