The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government has begun delivering on its promise to ease the financial burden of national examinations, with over $17 million in CSEC and CAPE examination fees reimbursed to students across Region Six. This initiative is part of the government’s commitment to expanding access to education and ensuring equal opportunities for all students.
The reimbursement exercise officially began on Wednesday at several secondary schools in the region. Earlier this year, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali had announced that students would no longer be required to pay for up to eight CXC subjects, removing a significant barrier to academic advancement for many families.
Deputy Chief Education Officer Volika Jaikishun, speaking with The News Desk, described the day as an exciting one for parents and students who recently sat the 2025 CSEC and CAPE exams. She explained that parents simply had to visit the respective schools where their children wrote the exams to uplift the refunds.
Several students also collected the refunds themselves and expressed appreciation for the initiative. They noted that the programme not only eases financial stress but allows students to pursue their full academic potential by attempting more subjects without the burden of cost.
Seventeen-year-old Matthew Ramnauth from New Amsterdam Multilateral Secondary School shared that he wrote 11 subjects, and the refund has been a major relief for him and his family. Another student, 17-year-old Anisha Ally, said the initiative is a great opportunity for younger students, as it will significantly reduce the financial pressure on parents and make education more accessible.
