Declining Pass Rates in Caribbean Students Raise Alarms

A troubling trend emerged last year when nearly 200,000 students across the Caribbean sat for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate exams, with only 4.9% passing five or more subjects, including crucial subjects like Mathematics and English. According to Lilia Burunciuc, World Bank Director for the Caribbean, the low pass rate in Mathematics—just 36%—is raising alarms among parents and educators.

“The cumulative effects of years of poor educational outcomes are deeply concerning, especially given the well-established links between education and negative societal impacts such as crime,” said Paula-Anne Moore, spokesperson for the Group of Concerned Parents in Barbados.

Burunciuc points to a deeper issue: a systemic crisis in foundational learning. Many students leave primary school without mastering essential skills like literacy and numeracy, which severely hampers their ability to succeed in secondary school and beyond. This gap not only affects individual students but also underminwrutees economic growth by creating a less skilled workforce.

Burunciuc added that inequality in access to quality education further exacerbates the problem. In places like Guyana, overcrowded schools and a lack of resources limit students’ learning experiences, while in Belize, technical training programs makes a prime example that reflects this problem as well. Reuel Black, manager of the ITVET in the Belize District, said that Belizean students often lack the necessary foundation in mathematics and physics to grasp complex subjects like solar energy systems.

Black also pointed out the challenge of keeping students focused: “Some students stay on their telephones, and you have to actually tell them to pay attention.”

According to Burunciuc, the World Bank is working closely with Caribbean nations to address these challenges. Through initiatives like the Jamaica Education Project and the expansion of technical training in Guyana, the Bank is helping to improve teaching, upgrade facilities, and expand access to quality education across the region.