Dear Editor,
Performance on national standardized examinations is one way of measuring the degree of progress within the education system. Although these statistics would not present a comprehensive view of student performance, given the wide range of factors involved, it is one of the few objective indicators of educational output. Recent performance trends on the secondary level are highly encouraging on a number of levels. Firstly, the overall performance of students, in relation to Grades One to Three passes at the CSEC examination, has consistently increased over the past three years. In 2007 this pass rate was 56.94%, in 2008 57.23% and in 2009 the pass rate is 63.7%. The number of candidates writing the examinations has also increased, suggesting that our ability to prepare students to perform on this level has improved.
When one looks at some specific subject areas, this figure increases significantly. For example, although the overall number of students writing the discrete sciences remains lower than one would hope, Grades One to Three passes in Chemistry and Physics exceeded seventy-five per cent. Satisfactory performances were recorded in Biology also, where, although there was a decline in performance from 2008, the pass rate of 68.25% was recorded. Excellent performances were recorded in fifteen other subjects including Integrated Science, Human and Social Biology, Agriculture Science, Social Studies and a range of technical vocational subjects. In the areas of English and Mathematics improvements were also noted. In English A the increase was a marked twenty-three per cent, while in Mathematics, a more modest increase was attained.
More impressive is the fact that in 2009, 97 candidates secured Grade One passes in eight or more subjects. This is an increase from 2008 in which 87 candidates secured Grade One passes in eight or more subjects. The 97 candidates are from Regions 2, 3, 4, 6 and Georgetown. These figures in isolation do not relate the significance of these accomplishments. The overall performances of students reflect a greater degree of equity within the education system. Excellent performances are noted from a wider cross-section of students across the country. Schools in Annai, Aishalton, Santa Rosa and Port Kaituma are now producing students with seven and eight Grades One and Two passes. As such, it appears that the Ministry’s efforts at ensuring universal secondary education are producing some results.
The hope is that a wider range of secondary institutions could ensure performances on this level and the indicators suggest that this is becoming a reality. These results suggest that the interventions and strategies being employed are having a positive impact on the education system and the students, teachers, parents, officers and all education stakeholders should be encouraged to continue working to lift the performance standards in the education system.
Yours faithfully,
Olato Sam
Technical Adviser to the
Minister of Education