STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS

HONOURABLE SHARIE B. DE CASTRO

AT THE FIFTH SITTING OF THE FIRST SESSION OF THE FIFTH

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ON

2023 CXC CSEC RESULTS

TUESDAY 31^ST OCTOBER 2023

Madam Speaker, I rise to present to this Honourable House the 2023 Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examination results for the Virgin Islands.

The Council, celebrating its 50^th Anniversary this year, has established internationally accepted examinations, which provide a good measure of the performance for students across the region.  This examination is a significant milestone in our students’ educational journey as it provides a firm foundation as they move on to studies in higher education.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to announce that, this year, our students have once again demonstrated their resilience and commitment to learning.  Despite the unique challenges brought about by the ongoing global pandemic, our students have risen above and beyond, showing commendable results in the CSEC exams.

This year, the Virgin Islands achieved an impressive 100% pass rate in twelve subjects; this represents a 200% increase over 2022.

In addition, Madam Speaker, the Virgin Islands accomplished a pass rate of 90 - 99% in eight CXC subjects:

Madam Speaker, allow me to highlight our performance of our students in English A, at this juncture. Two hundred and four students wrote the CSEC English An examination, It gives me pleasure to announce that the Territory achieved a 92.6% pass rate, in which 89 students attained a Grade I pass, 64 students – a Grade II pass and 38 students – a Grade III pass.

In addition, the Virgin Islands produced a pass rate of 80-89% in two CXC subjects: Electronic Document Preparation and Management, and Information Technology.  Madam Speaker, such commendable results are a testament to the consistent hard work of our teachers and students.

For five CSEC subjects, the Virgin Islands achieved 50% or more Grade I passes:

Madam Speaker, while we celebrate these achievements, there are areas that require our attention and improvement, and we remain committed to addressing these gaps. One such area is Mathematics, in which the Virgin Islands attained a 46.6% pass rate, which represents a 2.4% decrease from 2022, and 4.6% increase over 2021. Of the 161 students who sat the CSEC Math exam, 14 students achieved Grade I, 28 achieved Grade II and 33 achieved Grade III passes.

Madam Speaker, plans are underway to remediate the challenges identified with mathematics especially post the hurricanes of 2017 and post pandemic. A Math Revitalization Committee is being set up to allow stakeholders to work together to strengthen and improve the delivery and instruction of mathematics. Professional development sessions are ongoing at schools in the territory to strengthen and improve instructional quality and remediation in mathematics. Revisions have also been made to both the Scope and Sequence of the VI Primary and Secondary Math Instructional Objectives to ensure that students are exposed to each core thoroughly and meaningfully.

The Ministry has also created two new positions for instructional coaches, specializing in mathematic to observe, coach and train teachers to increase their competency in teaching mathematics and to analyze student assessment data and develop intervention programmes. The positions were advertised and placement is being finalized.

Madam Speaker, regarding the CXC examinations, the ranking of students is typically determined based on the total number of Grade 1 passes they achieve, rather than the total number of subjects passed.  Based on that criterion, Madam Speaker, I am proud, as the Minister for Education, to announce the top three students in the Virgin Islands.

Madam Speaker, I would like to extend my deepest congratulations to all our students for their achievements. Your hard work, resilience, and dedication are inspiring. To our teachers, administrators, parents and guardians, thank you for your unwavering support and dedication to our children’s education.

In conclusion, Madam Speaker, these overall results underscore our commitment to education and the potential of our young people. As we navigate the future, we will continue to invest in our education sector, because we believe that our children are not just the future of the Virgin Islands – but that they are the present. As such, we will continue to move Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead.

Thank you, Madam Speaker.