Big Relief: Parents welcome waiver of fees for CSEC, CAPE

The initiative by President Dr Irfaan Ali for the government to cover the cost of at least eight Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) subjects for both private and public school students has been met with much relief from parents.

They would otherwise have had to pay several thousand dollars for their children to sit the regional examination.

Several parents who spoke with Ignite News today expressed their support for the government’s initiative.

Lison Goliver, whose son will be writing CSEC at President’s College next year, said she is very pleased with the President’s announcement. She shared that last year, her daughter wrote 10 CSEC subjects and had to pay the full cost of approximately $58,000, as she did not meet the criteria to receive government assistance.

“So last night I was pleased in my heart because I know that my son, who will be writing at least 10 subjects too, I wouldn’t have that burden,” Goliver told Ignite News. She said the President’s announcement was timely, and the money saved could be put to different use.

Selena Persaud said she too is happy about the government’s initiative, since, like many other parents, she is finding it difficult to gather the sums needed to pay examination fees. Her daughter will be writing eight subjects, and that cost will now be fully covered by the government.

Bourda Market vendors Sherine and Alicia also applauded the government’s move to assist parents with the CSEC fees.

Sherine, who has one child preparing for CSEC, expressed gratitude that the government will finance the subjects. She said that while her child is set to write 12 CSEC subjects, she is happy to know that eight of those are already covered. “I am grateful because it will give a further step to the children,” she said.

Alicia noted that many parents will benefit, as some are not financially stable. “It is very good that the President has reached out to us, and I think it’s going to benefit a lot of us,” she said.

She added that with the extra money, she can provide additional lessons for her child or allocate the funds to other needs.

In his announcement on Wednesday, President Ali said that parents are currently in the process of preparing to pay their children’s CSEC fees and are setting this money aside. He noted, however, that “with effect from this year’s CXC, the government will pay in full the cost for at least eight subjects for every single child in the public and private school system”.

Today, in a special announcement, the Head of State said that the CSEC initiative will now be extended to students taking the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).

The President stated that he will ensure no child is compelled to limit the number of CSEC subjects they write due to their parents’ financial circumstances. As such, “…the initiative goes beyond CSEC, it will also include the CAPE students, and they too will benefit from this initiative,” he announced.

CSEC payments for 2026 will be made in November this year. Every child writing these subjects will benefit from the government initiative.

President Dr Irfaan Ali