CXC prepares for historic gathering of Caribbean education stakeholders in Jamaica

More than 300 education leaders, policymakers, and practitioners from across the Caribbean – including regional ministers of education – are set to converge in Jamaica next week to discuss the future of teaching, learning, and assessment in the digital age.

The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC ) in partnership with Jamaica’s Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, will host a Regional Education Conference and Ministerial Forum from March 16 to 19 at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in Kingston. The four-day event brings together some of the most influential voices in Caribbean education to chart a path forward as the region grapples with rapid technological change.

The conference was originally scheduled for October 2025 on Jamaica’s north coast but was postponed following the disruption caused by Hurricane Melissa. Pointing to the significance of the moment, Dr Nicole Manning, CXC ‘s director of operations noted that enthusiasm for the gathering has remained strong.

“CXC is facilitating this meeting of the finest minds in Caribbean education at a time when the region is seeking to scale efforts to equip in-school learners with electronic devices, adapt to generative Artificial Intelligence, and embrace electronic assessment and teaching via online modalities”, said Dr Manning.

Dr Eduardo Ali, pro-registrar and Deputy CEO of CXC , who is leading the organisation of the Ministerial Forum, highlighted CXC ‘s ongoing engagement with regional employers through its Skills and Employability Signalling System. CXC will sign a partnership engagement agreement (PEA) with a Consortium of Caribbean employer groups at the Forum.

“As global open education systems evolve, it is critical that we factor in the counsel and inputs of our employer stakeholders to effectively implement an integrated approach for the teaching and assessment of our learners in our digital environment”, noted Dr Ali.

The Forum has received the endorsement of Dr Dana Morris-Dixon, Jamaica’s minister of education, skills, youth and information, who will deliver a keynote address.

“Jamaica welcomes this timely conference by CXC with our fellow educators from across the region”, said Dr Morris-Dixon. “The goals of this regional meeting are in alignment with Jamaica’s TREND (Transformation Education for National Development) education strategy, where the use of ICTs within the education system is a key pillar to achieve our national goals for world class education and training, and a technology enabled society”, she added.

A distinguished roster of speakers will anchor the programme, including Professor Hilary Beckles, chairman of CXC ; Deputy Chair of Council, Dr Marcia Potter; Dr Wayne Wesley, CXC registrar; Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin, vice chancellor of the University of Guyana; Dr Luz Longsworth of Sandals Corporate University; Alison Drayton, assistant secretary general for human and social development at CARICOM; and Professor Peter Scott, president and CEO of the Commonwealth of Learning and members of his team.

In addition to the partnership support by Jamaica’s Ministry of Education, the Regional Education Conference is being sponsored by Stephen Austin & Sons Ltd, Hachette Learning, Vretta Inc, Wizdom, CRM Caribbean Ltd, Liberty Business, and the Association of Chartered Accountants (Caribbean).