HAVING concluded its investigation into the leaking of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Mathematics Paper 2, the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC®), on Friday, announced that only the scores from the School-Based Assessment or Paper 032 for private candidates and Paper 1 will be used to tabulate the final grade.
The council made this disclosure in a press release which also stated that the origin of the leak was Jamaica.

“CXC® has now concluded its investigation. The security measures which CXC® has put in place have led us to identify the country as Jamaica and the examination centre where the leak originated. In discussion with the Ministry of Education and Youth, the matter will be dealt with following CXC’s security protocols,” the release said, adding that the Council has been in constant contact with regional Ministries of Education since the information came to light.

It was noted that the Council and regional Ministries of Education recognise that candidates have spent months preparing for their Mathematics Paper 2 examination and the news of the security breach (leak) of the examination has caused much anxiety and concern.

“As a result of the breach and the compromise of the examination, as well as consideration for the mental health and wellbeing of our candidates, timely release of results, and matriculation requirements, CXC® has determined that for this examination the modified approach will be used to award fair and valid grades,” it added.

The modified approach entails an assessment of:
i. the School-Based Assessment or Paper 032 (Alternative to SBA) for private candidates; and
ii. Paper 1
According to the release, this decision was communicated to the regional Ministries of Education in a meeting held earlier in the day.

“CXC® would like to reassure candidates that the security of the regional examinations is paramount, and their best interests continue to be at the centre of the organisation’s decisions and processes. CXC® will continue to provide updates as and when necessary, and would advise stakeholders to monitor CXC’s official communication channels for information,” it added.
Following the meeting, Guyana’s Minister of Education, Education Priya Manickchand, addressed the issue in a video which was posted on the ministry’s Facebook page.

“Their findings are that the paper was in fact available before the beginning of the exam or before when it was scheduled to be legitimately available. They have confirmed that that did not occur in Guyana,” the education minister said.

She further explained that due to the widespread ease of communication in today’s world, the solution to address this issue is to be implemented across the entire region, despite the fact that the breach did not occur in Guyana and several other countries. All nations will be treated equally in terms of implementing the solution.

“The solution is to mark Paper 1 and the SBA and to disregard completely Paper 2 because of the compromising of the integrity of the paper and the process and so I want Guyanese children to know that your best interest is being looked at,” she said.
She commended the examination council for its efforts in swiftly examining and investigating the issue of the leaked examination. She also expressed appreciation for its prompt approach and updating.

She urged CSEC candidates in Guyana to remain focussed and to not let that situation interfere with their preparations.
“You are preparing still for other exams. Go ahead and do that to the best of your ability. Put this behind you and trust us to make sure your paper ones and SBAs are properly counted,” Minister Manickchand said.

On May 17, 2023, the examination council officially announced that it had initiated an investigation into the reported concerns of an examination breach. In a statement released by the council, they said they are aware of the concerns surrounding the leakage and has launched an investigation.

“This matter is of great concern to the organisation. Investigations have commenced and a definitive statement will be made once the investigation is completed. In the meantime, candidates can rest assured that this matter is being treated with the highest urgency,” the council had previously stated