CXC approves modified exam approach for schools in 7 Jamaican parishes

High schools in seven parishes hardest hit by Hurricane Melissa have been given the option to adopt a modified approach for the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) May/June 2026 examinations, as recovery efforts continue months after the Category Five storm.

The decision was taken under CXC’s Regional Disaster and Business Recovery Protocol following the hurricane’s passage in October 2025. The affected parishes are St. Elizabeth, Manchester, Hanover, St. James, Trelawny, St. Ann and Westmoreland, where several schools are still undergoing repairs.

CXC administers the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).

Registrar and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Wayne Wesley said CXC has approved an agreed plan of action with Jamaica’s Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information to support students impacted by the disaster.

“CXC stands with Jamaica as the country recovers from the unprecedented devastation and dislocation caused by Hurricane Melissa,” Wesley said during a press conference at the Overseas Examinations Commission (OEC) in Kingston on Wednesday, January 7.

Under the modified approach, candidates will sit Paper 01 (multiple choice) along with the School-Based Assessment (SBA) or Paper 03/02. Wesley said adjustments will also be made to accommodate students completing SBAs.

“Modifications and adjustments will be facilitated for Jamaican-based candidates with respect to school-based assessments,” he said.

School administrators must notify CXC by January 14 whether they intend to utilize the modified approach.

Wesley also announced additional concessions, including late registration for affected schools without penalty. “CXC will extend the timeline for submission of SBAs for schools negatively impacted to June 15, 2026, without any late fee requirements,” he said.

He further advised that all Jamaican candidates will receive their examination results in August 2026, in line with the rest of the region. Candidates who register and later determine they are unprepared may apply for a refund or defer their examinations to a 2027 sitting.

CXC Director of Operations Dr. Nicole Manning said special consideration will also be given to cases outside the seven designated parishes.

She noted, however, that the modified approach will not apply to certain competency-based subjects, including CSEC Theatre Arts, Human and Social Biology, Music, Physical Education and Sport, and CAPE Performing Arts.

“They’re very competency-based subjects and CXC, as you know, takes that very seriously,” Manning said. “If it is that for any reason they feel that they’re ill-prepared at the point closer to examination, they can defer or they can seek a refund.”

Hurricane Melissa caused widespread damage across western and northern Jamaica, disrupting schooling and forcing extended closures in several communities. CXC officials said the measures are aimed at ensuring fairness while maintaining the integrity of the regional examinations system.