The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) has issued a direct personal appeal to examination candidates across the region, urging them to approach the upcoming May–June 2026 session with confidence, self-care, and the assurance that CXC stands unequivocally behind each and every one of them.
In a video message released to candidates, parents, teachers, and education stakeholders across the Caribbean, CXC Registrar and CEO Dr Wayne Wesley delivered what he described as a personal message from the heart of a Caribbean educator to every student preparing for their examinations in the weeks ahead. Dr Wesley’s message to the candidates and their support networks comes at a time of historic significance for the 54-year-old institution.
CXC was established in 1972 to design and administer an indigenous assessment
system that reflects the realities, aspirations, and sovereign identity of the Caribbean people. Forty-seven years since the first examinations were administered in 1979, Dr
Wesley affirmed that the institution’s core commitments remain as steadfast as ever. “While much has changed over time, there are some things which have stood the test of time — the cultural relevance of our syllabuses, the global recognition of our qualifications, the diligence of our staff, and our absolute commitment to the success of every single candidate who sits a CXC-administered examination,” he said.
The May–June 2026 examination session encompasses the full suite of qualifications offered by CXC, the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE), the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC), the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ), the Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence (CCSLC) and the Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment™ (CPEA™).
A key development of the 2026 examination cycle is the launch of the Caribbean Targeted Education Certificate (CTEC) Mathematics Module 1 pilot, a milestone that Dr Wesley highlighted as evidence of CXC’s activist commitment to expand access to the region’s learners. Over 2,400 candidates from 13 Member States are registered to participate in the C-TEC pilot this cycle. These candidates will earn their CTEC micro-credential as they progress toward their CSEC certification — a new direction for Caribbean assessment.
The CTEC initiative was among the key flexible education pathways discussed at CXC’s inaugural Regional Education Conference and Ministerial Forum co-convened with Jamaica’s Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information in Kingston last March. Described by observers as a watershed moment for Caribbean education, the landmark 4-day gathering of over 400 education leaders, policymakers, and practitioners from 27 countries, confronted the challenges of teaching, learning, and assessment in the digital age. Dr Wesley was explicit in telling the conference that the region’s examination system must be congruent with how its digital-native learners process knowledge, and that equity is not a concession to excellence but its truest expression.
“This is the future of Caribbean education, taking shape right now,” Dr Wesley declared. “As you make your final preparations — use your study time wisely. Look after yourself and your mental wellbeing. Eat well. And rest when you need to. Be confident. Show up for all of your examinations. You’ve got this!” said the CXC Registrar.
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