Jamaican educational authorities are urging school principals to implement special academic concessions approved by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) for students affected by recent natural disasters. The accommodations specifically address challenges related to School-Based Assessments (SBAs) for the May/June 2026 examination period.
Dr. Nicole Manning, Director of Operations at CXC, emphasized the urgency during a press conference at the Overseas Examinations Commission headquarters in Kingston. She detailed how the concessions allow for certain components to be omitted from the assessment process, particularly for candidates reattempting their SBAs. Students currently have approximately three to four months to complete these modified requirements under the extended submission deadline of June 15 for teachers.
The concessions were developed in response to the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, which struck Jamaica on October 28. The hurricane caused significant educational disruptions, including the destruction of completed SBAs and personal belongings. Dr. Manning explained that while some students had advanced substantially in their two-year SBA preparation for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC), many others suffered catastrophic losses requiring institutional compassion.
Notably, the concessions extend beyond general assessment requirements to include specific accommodations for science disciplines. Laboratory work requirements have been substantially reduced—for instance, physics practicals have been cut from the traditional 16 labs to a minimum of 8, while maintaining essential educational standards.
The special provisions document remains exclusively available to Jamaican educational institutions through the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, with strict instructions against external distribution. This targeted approach ensures that support reaches those most affected while maintaining assessment integrity.