The Caribbean Examinations Council, in collaboration with Participating Territories, developed the Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence (CCSLC) curriculum in response to a regional imperative to provide for universal secondary education. The CCSLC curriculum is intended to provide certification for all students who complete secondary school in the Participating Territories. As such, a common core of subjects, comprising English, Integrated Science, Mathematics, Modern Languages and Social Studies, was developed to provide the learner with the competencies that will serve as a foundation for more advanced studies, the world of work and life as a citizen of the region.
The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) first offered the Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence (CCSLC) in June 2007. The CCSLC responds to the changing demands of education, and is designed to certify the knowledge, generic competencies, and attitudes and values that all secondary school leavers should have attained.
A. Knowledge
Students who successfully complete the CCSLC would also have achieved:
- A foundation for further education and training;
- Expanded opportunities for entry-level employment;
- Opportunity to articulate with other programmes such as the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Technical Vocational Education & Training (TVET).
B. Competencies
Achievement of the CCSLC will attest that the candidate has acquired competencies such as:
- Oral and Written Communication
- Mathematical Literacy
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Informed Decision Making
- Management of Emotions
- Working in Groups
- Diversity and Change
- Handling Conflict
- Development of Positive Self Concept
- Social and Citizenship Skills
C. Attitudes & Values
The CCSLC will certify that candidates have successfully adopted a range of fundamental attitudes and values, including:
- A positive image of self, family, community, region and the world;
- Respect for others irrespective of age, class, creed, gender, ethnicity, physical abilities and nationality;
- A dislike for violence in all its forms and commitment to settle disputes through arbitration and conciliation;
- The capacity to understand that individual freedom is consonant with the acceptance of personal responsibility for one’s own actions;
- Commitment to ethical and moral societies that recognize equality of opportunity, freedom of expression and association, and the right to fair judicial process.
keywords: CCLSC subjects summary
2. Eligibility for CCSLC
A candidate will be awarded the CCSLC if he/she over a period of up to five years, successfully completes a minimum of five subjects selected as follows:
A. Two compulsory subjects
Syllabus developed by CXC specifically for this programme:
- English
- Mathematics
B. Three subjects from any group or combination of groups listed below:
i Other subjects developed by CXC specifically for CCSLC:
- Integrated Science
- French
- Spanish
- Social Studies
ii CSEC TVET and Business Studies Programmes – Grades I, II, III, IV:
- Home Economics: Management
- Principles of Business
- Clothing and Textiles
- Principles of Accounts
- Food and Nutrition
- Electronic Document Preparation and Management
- Building Technology
- Electrical and Electronic Technology
- Office Administration
- Mechanical Engineering Technology
- Economics
- Information Technology (Technical)
- Technical Drawing
- Agricultural Science
iii. CSEC Creative and Expressive Arts – Grades I, II, III, IV:
- Music
- Theatre Arts
- Visual Arts
- Physical Education and Sport
iv. TVET and other Programmes certified by other Boards
- For example, City and Guilds, Heart Trust/NTA (Jamaica) and Royal College of Music
v. TVET Level 1 Programmes available in the Region
- For example, Beauty Culture, Auto Mechanic, Cabinet Making and Hospitality
vi. Any locally certified enrichment programme which satisfies the criteria set by CXC
- For example, Citizenship Education and Community Service
3. Reporting CCSLC results
i A Result Slip after every sitting of subjects developed by CXC
ii The CCSLC will be awarded after a candidate achieves a minimum of ‘Competent’ in five subjects within a three-year period.
| Composite Score | Grade |
| 75-100 | Master |
| 50-74 | Competent |
| 0-49 | Developing Competence |
4. Fees
There will be no candidate fee for CCSLC. However, the six CCSLC subjects developed by CXC will incur a subject charge of Bds$25.00 (participating territories) each. Additionally, charges for CSEC and local programmes will also be applicable.
A subject fee of BDS$25.00 applies to Participating Territories and the fee for Non-Participating Territories is BDS$50.00.
5. Certification
Candidates who satisfy the requirements as outlined for the CCSLC, will be awarded a Certificate conferred by CXC.