CXC discussing policy to integrate vocation qualifications in secondary schools

Consultations are currently ongoing into the drafting a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) policy that will govern the Caribbean Examination Council’s inclusion of the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) into the secondary system.

Educators and other stakeholders were given an opportunity to peruse the policy document, ask questions and make suggestions, at a two-day session recently at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development.

The policy seeks to facilitate a regional and concerted approach that will guide TVET reform in operations, administration, stakeholder involvement, funding and certification within the Council and secondary education, a report from the Government Information Agency (GINA) said. It also aims to ensure that TVET is given prominence as a requirement necessary for further education and workforce development, social progress and employment, in accordance with national, regional and international standards.

The key areas to be covered in the policy are governance and management of TVET, curriculum and syllabus development, delivery and assessment of TVET programme, financing TVET, monitoring and evaluation, the legal framework and policy implementation plan.

In his address, Assistant Chief Education Officer (Technical) Patrick Chinedo said that the goal of the workshop was to allow CXC to share its policy for CVQ with stakeholders. CXC wants to start delivering the CVQ at the secondary level.

According to Chinedo, the ministry developed the Guyana TVET Vision 2020 which outlines its seven-year plan. “A part of that plan is to ensure that the CVQ using competency based education and training are integrated into the secondary school system,” Chinedo said.

GINA said CVQ is a Caricom-approved award that represents the achievement of a set of competencies that define core work practices of an occupational area, consistent with levels articulated within the Regional Qualifications Frame-work.  To earn an award, candidates must demonstrate competencies in reaching Caricom-approved Occupational Standards.

The workshop was facilitated by Senior Specialist, Skills and Employability International Labour Organisation Dr Hassan Ndahi.