Education Minister addresses concerns over suspension of CXC-TVET subjects

Education Minister Shawn Edward has joined educators in the region in expressing concern over the Caribbean Examinations Council’s (CXC) decision to suspend four Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) subjects.

Minister Edward highlighted the importance of these issues to achieving sustainable development goals both in Saint Lucia and the wider Caribbean region.

“These issues are critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, not only for Saint Lucia but for the entire Caribbean region,” he said.

CXC justified the suspension with a steady decline in student numbers in these subjects and considered their continuation to be financially unsustainable.

However, Minister Edward stressed that this decision must be reconsidered, highlighting the educational opportunities these subjects offer to young people throughout the Caribbean.

“Given the importance of these thematic areas in terms of the level of training they offer our young people and the importance of these areas for the development of individual Member States and also as a whole, I believe this is something that needs to be reconsidered,” he noted.

Edward stressed the need for skilled workers in the field of vocational training, particularly in relation to food security and climate change.

He noted that subjects such as Agricultural Sciences – Double Award are crucial in making students aware of the benefits of agriculture from a young age, which is crucial in addressing the food security challenges in Saint Lucia and the Caribbean.

“Caribbean member states that join the CXC must ensure that we encourage our students to take an interest in these issues,” Edward said.

“Look at the double prize for agricultural sciences, for example. We have a serious food security problem in Saint Lucia and the Caribbean, so any effort to sensitize our students to the benefits of agriculture from a young age can only bode well when it comes to food security in the region.”

In addition, Minister Edward stressed that the suspension represents a challenge to the realisation of a greener society.

“If you look at green engineering and mechanical engineering, we are currently driving a TVET agenda that we believe can bring about a particular kind of transformation in our society,” he explained.

“We are also driving STEM education, so the more students we can get excited about the subject, the better it would be for St. Lucia and our development. And it would help us achieve some of the important goals and strategic objectives that we have set for ourselves as a country.”