The Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) has reported a surge in unethical incidents during its May-June 2024 exam sessions. This year there were 54 incidents, up from 36 cases documented in 2023. Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Nicole Manning, CXC’s Director of Operations, said “It’s a very serious matter.”
According to Director of Operations, proof of cheating is documented. She made known “Candidates have to sign to agree, yes, this is what happened. So, we’re not just making it up. The supervisors and invigilators are not making it up. They are telling you; I did this.”
Students were caught bringing unauthorised cell phones into the testing centres, engaging in blatant cheating, and impersonating other students.
One candidate was caught “literally on their phone” and admitted to googling exam questions during the assessment.
Another was caught trying to pretend to be someone else. Thankfully, the situation was identified, Manning said and the candidate has been disqualified and debarred for two years.
Increased in cheating was noted particularly in the sitting of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams. In 2024 the figure was 49, up from 19 in 2023. For the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE), the year 6 cases were reported, down from 17 last year.
The Examination Council has vowed to be tougher on future attempts to undermine the integrity of its assessments.
