The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has approved a grant to the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) to support the delivery of the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) Environmental Science (ES) syllabus. This will include the development of a digital toolkit, which aims to improve students’ performance in the examination.

Director of Projects at CDB, Daniel Best, said that the Project will promote greater environmental awareness among the broader population, fill gaps that exist in the delivery of the Environmental Science curriculum, and improve mastery of the subject by both teachers and students.

“Current results suggest that students struggle with topics related to basic ecological principles; pollution and the environment; and sustainable energy use. These topics are key to national and regional sustainability priorities, and are critical to encouraging change in attitudes, practices and behaviours. In addition, Environmental Science students have the potential to take advantage of new and emerging opportunities in the green economy,” said Best.

The digital toolkit developed as part of the Project will be available free of charge to all students doing the Environmental Science exam. Information will be presented in multiple formats, including case studies, instructional videos, images, infographics and podcasts. Teachers from 16 countries will also be trained in the use of the toolkit during five three-day workshops.

A communications campaign will also be implemented to encourage interest and awareness of the Environmental Science subject area. CXC will create virtual learning groups and launch a media campaign, inclusive of social media.

CDB will provide grant funding of USD641,000 and CXC will contribute USD213,000. The Project is consistent with CDB’s Strategic Objective of supporting inclusive and sustainable growth and development, as well as its Corporate Priority of improving the quality of, and access to education and training and citizen security.