Some teachers and Ministry of Education staff have criticised the government’s decision to reimburse parents for Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination fees, arguing that the move highlights misplaced priorities ahead of the next general election.
Education Minister Daryll Matthew has said the reimbursements for fees already paid for the 2026 examinations — estimated at about $1.2m — should be ready by Monday.
However, several educators say they have waited for extended periods for reclassification payments and back pay owed by the Ministries of Education and Finance, and question how funds could be made available so quickly for the reimbursement programme.
Some teachers described the administration’s actions as politically motivated, saying their patience and professionalism had been taken for granted.
The government has also announced plans to cover CSEC fees for all candidates from next year. Educators have raised concerns about the long-term cost of the policy, warning it could lead to higher taxes or an increased education levy.
Others fear the move could reduce students’ motivation to perform well academically if parents are no longer required to pay exam fees.
Several teachers suggested that financial support should instead be means-tested, or limited to core subjects such as English, mathematics, business studies and information technology.
Meanwhile, staff at the Ministry of Education have also raised concerns about poor working conditions at their offices, citing air quality issues, mould and other health risks that recently forced employees to leave the building.
Workers say the conditions have affected productivity and are questioning where their welfare ranks among the government’s current priorities.
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Ok, I would rather see a increase of education levy if that is needed for the improvement of schools which been stagnant for decades without improvement and old structure which doesn’t the best for students. I do disagree with the tax system we which affects lower income persons the most with the regressive tax system that is applied at a point in sale which can just be passed off to the buyers.
Saying CXC parents no longer paying for CXC no longer is going to provide less motivation is not really a valid argument when other regions exams aren’t payed on the public level if they do have an exam equivalent, at lastly CXC is still a barrier to jobs and some uni/collage level locally/regionally.
The fact that this was implemented while government workers been working in hazardous conditions for years with some developing heath conditions for years can be seen as slap in face with people not getting information or communicated with is happening can seen as a negative that should definitely be a high priority.
Your grammar and spelling alone in your post say you are in no position to speak knowledgeably on this matter.
There is too much disrespect shown to teachers and also the students re the conditions they are working and learning under. These demand full and immediate attention.
The other countries which offer the waiver would have had time to consider the consequences of their action and make plans to counteract their action.
This is blatantly an election ploy without any thought for its longevity in the future.
It is good to have people criticize the policies of the government. But at least let it be constructive. In that way the government will learn something it perhaps overlooked.
Like I’m in agreement that people that get things for free are less appreciative of it. That is why I hate freebees. When you get a plate of food free you eat what you want and just throw away what you don’t want. When you pay for it you will make sure you enjoy every spoon full of it. This is human nature. That is why the motivation to do well in your CXC because you didn’t had to pay for it will be a big factor. And why take only five subjects. There must be some control by the teachers who can take and how many. If the teacher can judge from your class work that you will just be wasting the money then they should be the one to decide whether you will be permitted to do the CXC with government funds spend. If you still want to take it do it at your own expense. And if you pass the exam than you should be eligible for refund.
Perhaps then the government should consider a refund program for this that have past a set number of subjects. Anyway it is good to have constructive criticism.
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