The Agriculture Minister has expressed concern over the decision made by the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) to discontinue certification for several subjects, including Agricultural Science (double award) at both the CESEC and CAPE levels. This decision has been rationalized by CXC due to a decline in student enrollment in these subjects, making it financially unsustainable to continue offering them.
Agriculture Minister, Hon Alfred Prosper, emphasized the importance of exposing children to agricultural education from a young age in order to ensure the stability of the agricultural sector in the future. He believes that early education in agriculture is crucial for addressing future challenges.
Adding to this, the Education Minister, Hon Shawn Edward, has also voiced concerns and stressed the need for reconsideration of the decision. He pointed out that educating students about the benefits of agriculture from a young age could greatly contribute to addressing challenges in the sector. Furthermore, he emphasized the crucial role that these subjects play in achieving sustainable development goals, not just in St. Lucia, but also across the Caribbean region.
In response to these concerns, representatives from Ministries of Education across the region are scheduled to meet with the Caribbean Examination Council next Tuesday to discuss the issues related to the discontinuation of these subjects. This meeting will take place ahead of the cabinet meeting on May 28th, 2024.
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