A-Levels obsolete by 2008

Exam officials at the Ministry of Education revealed that three schools have already phased out the A-Level examinations and within the next three years, all secondary schools will adopt CAPE.

"Most schools have at least introduced one course by now, but we believe that it will take some time for the other schools to get accustomed to the idea," said Beulah Mitchell, of the Curriculum Unit at the Rudranath Capildeo Learning Centre in Couva. Mitchell said in comparison to A-Levels, CAPE was "more practical, modern, up-to-date and cutting-edge."

Holy Cross College in Arima, and Holy Faith Convent in Couva and Penal, have fully introduced CAPE. Principal of Holy Cross College Bernard Tappin fully embraced CAPE and told Sunday Newsday it is a "wonderful idea."

"The syllabi are well thought out, it’s a new dimension and I think it will push curriculum reform," said Tappin.

Core subjects for CAPE include Caribbean Studies and Communication Studies, which have replaced GP (General Paper), Functional French, Functional Spanish, Information Technology and Statistical Analysis. These are subjects that educators across the region agree are fundamental for the knowledge, skills and attitudes people need for study at tertiary level and in the world of work.

Tappin believed, however, that the 18-plus exam should be one of many options for Fifth Form graduates.

"Leaving Fifth Form should no longer mean going into A-Levels or CAPE. I think there should be other opportunities and we have started with the (TT) Hospitality Institute and UTT. The time has come where we must move away from the traditional engineering and medicine and go into creative or carnival arts.

"We are musical, creative people, why don’t we train persons in musical art?" Tappin asked. "We are a small Caribbean group of countries and we have to prepare our people to retain our culture and equip them to deal with the challenges of a modern globalised world." CAPE was developed by CXC to meet the changing demands of the regional and international environment and was first written last year by 770 students in 19 schools. This year 4,339 students are writing the exams in 71 schools.