The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) has agreed to extend Jamaica’s exam schedule as the country continues to recover from the impact of Hurricane Melissa. The update came from Senator Dr. Dana Morris Dixon, Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, during a November 21 sitting of the Senate.
Responding to questions following a statement on the storm’s impact and the ministry’s response, Morris Dixon noted that discussions are ongoing regarding several national and regional exams, including the Primary Exit Profile (PEP). While no final decision has been made, she confirmed that extensions are likely. “In terms of PEP, we’re looking at extending dates for PEP. We haven’t made a final PEP decision… but we will have to extend dates,” she said. “CXC has already agreed to extend Jamaica’s exam schedule. We will have a longer time period, and our exams will be delayed compared to the other territories.”
The minister also signaled that an update on reduced CXC fees is forthcoming, noting that negotiations are close to completion. “We have been negotiating a lower fee for our students. By next week, you’ll hear more about what the final amount will be,” she told the Senate.
Morris Dixon said targeted strategies are being implemented for students preparing for external exams, given the scale of disruption caused by the storm. More than 600 educational institutions sustained damage when the Category Five hurricane made landfall on October 28.
The ministry is currently in discussions with CXC on possible relief measures, including revised deadlines, adjustments to School-Based Assessments, and flexibility in syllabus coverage. “We are looking into how we can change those deadlines, and there’s a lot built in. We are also looking into flexibility in the syllabus coverage as well as cost implications. Also, we provide options for students to reduce their number of exams based on their circumstances,” she said.
Morris Dixon confirmed that the November session of the National Vocational Qualification of Jamaica (NVQ-J) has been postponed, with a tentative rescheduling set for February 2026 and an option for June 2026 to ensure adequate preparation time. She added that City & Guilds has proposed a two-cohort model for 2026, with sittings in June and November, to increase flexibility for schools in the hardest-hit areas.
“We work with our primary partners to ease the burden of our children as much as possible,” the minister said.
