THE Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) is overhauling its School Based Assessment (SBA) system, replacing traditional coursework with supervised assessments in most non-practical CSEC and CAPE subjects from 2027.According to a news release from the council yesterday, this is in response to growing concerns over the impact of generative artificial intelligence on exam integrity.That change marks one of the most significant reforms to the SBA framework since it was introduced nearly five decades ago, the council stated.It explained that the new approach is intended to preserve the credibility of its qualifications while recognising the increasing influence of AI and other technological tools on education.It noted that under the revised framework, traditional SBAs will be phased out for non-practical subjects including Mathematics, English, Caribbean History, Social Studies and Principles of Business.Instead, candidates will complete Paper 032, the council’s existing alternative assessment, under examination conditions, the release continued. It added that the new assessment format has been redesigned to retain elements of extended learning.Students will receive their examination topics about one month before the assessment, be given additional time to complete the paper, and be permitted to bring reference notes into the examination room, the council explained. However, SBAs will remain in place for subjects where practical, project-based assessment is essential to measuring students’ skills. According the council, these include Agricultural Science, Visual Arts, Music, Physical Education, Technical Drawing, and Food Nutrition and Health.“Moderation of these assessments will also be strengthened,” it further stated.Assessment model verification challengeThe release stated that CXC registrar and chief executive officer Dr Wayne Wesley has said the reforms were not an attempt to discourage students from using generative AI as a learning tool, but rather to ensure assessments continue to reflect a candidate’s own knowledge and abilities.“CXC will always act in the best interest of the region, even when that requires difficult decisions,” Wesley said.“The SBA has served Caribbean students well for nearly half a century, and we do not reform it lightly. But the integrity of our qualifications is not negotiable.”He said the council had a responsibility to act once it became clear that the existing assessment model could no longer reliably verify the authenticity of students’ work.The reforms follow consultations with educators and other stakeholders across 21 Caribbean countries and territories and will be introduced in phases beginning in the 2027 academic year.For CAPE candidates, the transition to Paper 032 will take effect for the May to June 2027 examinations. At the CSEC level, schools will have the option in 2027 of using either the traditional SBA or Paper 032 for non-practical subjects. The full transition to Paper 032 will take effect for the May to June 2028 examinations.CXC director of operations Dr Nicole Manning has said the redesigned assessment has preserved the reflective nature of the SBA while restoring confidence that the work submitted was genuinely that of the student.Dr Manning said, “A CXC qualification means something. It means something to employers, to universities, to parents, families and guardians who have invested years of commitment and sacrifice into a child’s education. It is in our collective interest that we hold to this standard.”The council also confirmed that existing SBA scores would continue to be transferable under its current two-year rule. It noted that from 2027, Paper 032 scores would also qualify for transfer under the same arrangement.