Dear Editor:
As we (Caribbean students) across the Caribbean Basin prepare for our CXC exams we are unaware that CXC holds copyright ownership of all our works – written or practical. What is so wrong about this is that CXC has been plundering our works for generations, without the awareness of the students/children or our parents.
During examinations we are given a form to sign (without explanation) and on that form is the copyright point which gives CXC the ownership of all our works: Copyright 6. CXC holds copyright ownership of all candidates’ work, written or practical, produced for examinations.
What is sick about this is that CXC is an educational institution – these are the same people who rob us, publish our work or do whatever they want for their benefit and we get absolutely nothing in return.
How fair can this be? These are same people who want to teach us right from wrong and expect us to be good citizens – yet you are the ones stealing from us – your children.
By students signing off on the illegal document- CXC now has the full ownership of all our works, They can publish, sell works/materials to third party with absolutely no recognition or financial compensation to us/students. That is robbery!
How can CXC own any student’s work without first getting permission from our parents? Our parents are the ones paying for these exams – CXC doesn’t give us free exams. It is legally wrong because students are underage (and no underage child should enter into agreement without parent(s)’ consent), plus our parents pay for these exams – therefore the materials belong to our parents NOT CXC.
CXC has been doing so for generations – they have been and they continue to do us this injustice. CXC’s action to me is worse than any slave-master, pirate or plunderer. It is sad that we are now in control of our destiny yet we continue to steal from each other, block each other’s growth.
I am calling on CXC to stop this practice NOW and compensate everyone whose work they have abused.
Legal minds of the Caribbean, we need you to work for us. This injustice must stop.
Concerned Caribbean Student
